Safran and MBDA selected by the DGA for the Thundart missile, to succeed the LRU

The DGA notifies the long-range ground strike market

Safran Electronics & Defense and MBDA announced on September 10, 2026 the notification by the Directorate General of Armament (DGA) of the long-range ground strike market.

The two companies are selected to provide the THUNDART solution, designed to renew France's capability for ground strike in tactical depth, preparing the succession of the Unitary Rocket Launcher (LRU).

Jointly developed by the two groups, THUNDART will provide the French Army with a precision strike capability at long range. Designed, developed and manufactured in France, it aims to offer French armed forces operational independence by 2030.

An equal partnership joint venture planned for January 2027

The first phase of the partnership made it possible to undertake development work, validated by a demonstration firing carried out in April 2026.

To manage the next phase of the program, a joint venture held equally by Safran Electronics & Defense and MBDA will be created in the Paris region from January 2027.

This structure will ensure the development, production and in-service support of THUNDART, as well as its future adaptations to other environments and allied export markets.

The program distributed across several French industrial sites

Based on already mature sub-systems, the program mobilizes several dozen engineers and must support industrial activity at the sites of the two groups as well as at their subcontractors.

The jobs involved, in both engineering and production, are distributed across several French regions: Aquitaine, Brittany, Centre-Val de Loire, Île-de-France, Pays de la Loire and Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur.

MBDA, Safran's partner on this program, is owned by Airbus (37.5%), BAE Systems (37.5%) and Leonardo (25%).