France Unveils ' Foudre ' Multiple Launch Rocket System as Indigenous Alternative to HIMARS at Paris Air Show 2025

At the prestigious Paris Air Show, French defense firm Turgis & Gaillard introduced its latest innovation—the Foudre multiple launch rocket system (MLRS), designed as a homegrown alternative to the American-made HIMARS. Developed entirely with private investment, the Foudre represents France’s renewed push for defense independence under the country’s FLP-T (Frappe Longue Portée Terrestre) program, which seeks to modernize its long-range artillery forces.

The Foudre system is France’s answer to the increasing need for highly mobile, long-range precision strike capabilities. Built on a wheeled chassis similar in concept to the American M142 HIMARS, the Foudre is engineered for rapid deployment, precision fire, and operational flexibility. It is expected to eventually replace the aging LRU (Lance-Roquettes Unitaire) launchers—France’s modified version of the older tracked M270A1 system. Out of the 57 LRUs originally acquired by France, only 13 remain in service, and some have already been donated to Ukraine. As few as six or seven are currently operational.

The French Army is set to receive 13 new MLRS units by 2030, with the total rising to 39 systems by 2035. This phased induction plan reflects France's broader strategy to revamp its artillery capabilities with systems that can meet modern warfare demands and provide interoperability with NATO forces—while also bolstering national defense industries.

The ammunition roadmap is equally ambitious. Turgis & Gaillard is expected to supply 300 rockets with a 150 km range by 2030, followed by annual production of 50 to 100 additional rockets. More strikingly, the company is working on extended-range munitions capable of reaching 500 km, with a long-term goal of developing rockets with a 1,000 km range—placing them in the strategic strike category.

These capabilities would position France among a small group of nations possessing ground-based strike systems with ranges approaching that of cruise missiles, but at a fraction of the cost and complexity.

One of the central aims of the FLP-T program is strategic autonomy—ensuring France can defend itself without relying on foreign suppliers, especially for critical systems like long-range precision artillery. While the French government has expressed a strong preference for a national solution, it has also left the door open to international procurement if necessary.

Turgis & Gaillard’s unveiling of the Foudre marks a bold step in that direction. By offering a high-performance, French-built alternative to HIMARS, the company is positioning itself at the forefront of Europe’s evolving defense landscape—one that values mobility, precision, range, and sovereignty in equal measure.