Thales and ArianeGroup have successfully carried out the first test firing of a tactical ballistic missile intended to serve as a future domestic replacement for France’s aging multiple launch rocket system capabilities. The new FLP-T 150 ballistic munition is designed to engage targets at ranges of up to 150 kilometers and incorporates advanced propulsion, guidance, and control technologies derived from modern ballistic missile systems.
Capable of flying at supersonic speeds, the missile can maneuver during both powered flight and terminal attack phases, significantly improving survivability against interception attempts. Under the program, ArianeGroup is developing the missile’s propulsion and guidance architecture, while Thales is responsible for the broader system integration, including the launcher platform, fire-control suite, and launch mechanisms.
The missile is paired with the highly mobile X-Fire launcher, a flexible system designed for interoperability with multiple ballistic munition types. Its rapid deployment capability is intended to meet evolving battlefield requirements, with additional demonstration launches from the X-Fire platform scheduled before the end of May.
The FLP-T 150 is one of two systems being evaluated by France under its domestic rocket artillery modernization initiative. The competing candidate is the THUNDART system jointly developed by Safran and MBDA. The program is aimed at replacing the French Army’s remaining Lance-Roquettes Unitaires (LRU) systems, a modified variant of the M270 MLRS, with only two units currently still operational and expected to retire by 2027.
France has reportedly committed around 600 million euros toward the modernization effort, which includes plans to procure at least 13 rocket artillery systems by 2030 and expand the fleet to 26 systems by 2035 to support battalion-level operations. However, officials have indicated that foreign alternatives could be considered if domestic development schedules face delays.
