A next‑generation launcher capable of striking targets beyond 150 kilometres with high precision, even in electronic warfare environments, has successfully passed its first live‑fire tests. Developed in partnership with Soframe, the X‑Fire rocket launcher is designed to align with the French army’s modern fire support doctrine.
Thales validated the project’s operational maturity with tests carried out on 20 May 2026. The platform, which responds to the changing needs of the modern battlefield, offers a multi‑purpose architecture that can work with both domestic and foreign munitions. At the same time, this capability ensures operational continuity as the current Multiple Launch Rocket Systems (LRU) are phased out of service. The X-Fire rocket launcher stands out with these unique features.
High Precision in Challenging Environments
Integrated onto an 8×8 mobile vehicle, the system owes its field performance to Thales’ critical navigation components. The TopStar Smart Receiver used on the X‑Fire launcher stands out as an anti‑jamming receiver that maintains GNSS signal continuity under heavy electronic warfare threats. The accompanying TopAxyz ensures that target position and timing data are managed with the highest precision. In particular, the X-Fire rocket launcher excels in maintaining precision across various challenging environments.
The 68mm Thales X‑Fum training rockets used during the test phase were specifically provided to enable forces to quickly adapt to the system, especially for the X-Fire rocket launcher integration process.
Strategic Autonomy with FLP‑t 150
The project, which has progressed in parallel with FLP‑t 150 ballistic munition trials conducted on 5 May 2026, aims to end France’s dependence on foreign sources for deep land strike capability. The system is planned to become fully operational before the end of the decade. Moreover, the X-Fire rocket launcher is expected to play a key role in this strategic transformation.
Julien Assoun, Vice President of Tactical Vehicles and Systems at Thales, said after the success: “The versatility of the solution gives our forces both a sovereign ballistic munition option and ensures operational continuity during the retirement of existing systems. Our first successful firings have tangibly proven the launcher’s performance.”
These tests are seen as a concrete reflection of the strategic autonomy goal within the European defence industry.
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Source: C4Defence– Thales Group
