France Faces Rocket Launcher Shortage, urgent notice dispatched
France Sounds the Alarm: Urgent Need for New Artillery Systems
Two French parliamentarians, Jean-Louis Thiériot (LR) and Matthieu Bloch (UDR), have raised the alarm in a recent parliamentary report. According to them, France could experience a shortage of long-range artillery capabilities if action isn't taken soon to replace the unitary rocket launcher system. As explained by BFM TV, artillery plays a crucial role, especially in the absence of air superiority, as seen in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
Artillery strikes account for nearly 70% of enemy destruction, particularly in the early stages of a war. The unitary rocket launcher, capable of carrying twelve rockets with a range of 15 to over 70 kilometers, is crucial for deep support. However, there are only nine left in the land army, as per an IFRI study published last November. The French LRUs could become unusable within two years due to a lack of spare parts, necessitating an immediate replacement solution.
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Jean-Louis Thiériot and Matthieu Bloch criticize the lack of foresight in preparing for the temporary break in the LRU, even though the unitary rocket launchers had already demonstrated their utility in previous conflicts, such as the Nagorno-Karabakh war. If a solution needs to be found promptly, the Republican deputy emphasizes the need for affordability.
The "long-range terrestrial strike" program, launched in 2023, aims to develop a long-range artillery system. The first demonstration shot is scheduled for April 2026, with entry into service expected in 2030. However, the parliamentarian considers this timeline too long. To address this, France is exploring various possibilities, such as the development of the LRM Foudre by Turgis Gaillard and the Frappe Longue Portée Terrestre (FLP-T) Programme.
The FLP-T Programme, being developed by leading defense firms like Safran, MBDA, Thales, and ArianeGroup, aims to create a tactical strike capability with a range of up to 150 kilometers. The program includes acquiring at least 13 new multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS) by 2030 and expanding to 26 systems by 2035, at a budget of €600 million under France’s 2024–2030 defense budget.
Additionally, France is studying the possibility of replacing the CAESAR artillery system with an AI-powered successor, focusing on increased firing range, enhanced automation, greater precision, and advanced robotic integration. These initiatives serve France's strategic goal of achieving sovereignty in long-range artillery capabilities and reducing reliance on foreign systems.
[1] US-made HIMARS: High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS)[2] Frappe Longue Portée Terrestre (FLP-T) Programme: France Developing Domestic Long-Range Artillery Systems - Defense News[3] LRM Foudre: A Domestic Alternative for French Artillery Capabilities - Shephard Media[4] CAESAR artillery: Replacing CAESAR with AI-Powered Artillery - Army-Technology
- In light of the urgency for new artillery systems, both Jean-Louis Thiériot and Matthieu Bloch advocate for the exploration of affordable solutions, such as the development of the LRM Foudre and the Frappe Longue Portée Terrestre (FLP-T) Programme, to bridge the gap until the completion of France's long-range terrestrial strike program.
- The ongoing need for sovereignty in long-range artillery capabilities is evident, as France investigates potential replacements for the CAESAR artillery system, focusing on extended range, automation, precision, and advanced robotic integration, while reducing reliance on foreign systems, such as the US-made HIMARS. This move is a part of the general news surrounding the trend of nations prioritizing their domestic real estate in war-and-conflicts and politics.
