Long-range land strike: Thales and ArianeGroup conduct first successful firing in line with French forces’ ambitions

• Thales and ArianeGroup successfully conducted the first firing of the new ballistic munition FLP-t 150, on Tuesday, May 5, 2026, with the support from the Missile Testing Division of the French Defense Procurement Agency (DGA EM) at the Ile du Levant test site.
• This first flight test validates the studies and underscores the value this first complete system offered: from the munition developed by Thales and ArianeGroup to the multipurpose ground launcher from Thales and Soframe, compatible with both sovereign and foreign ammunition.
• This test confirms the design choices, technologies, and performance capabilities of the ballistic munition FLP-t 150, which has an operational range exceeding 150 km. It highlights the munition’s strong potential for precise terminal maneuvers, thanks to its rear-mounted fin guidance system, ensuring high accuracy on target even in GNSS[1]-jammed environments.
• Developed to replace the Unitary Rocket Launchers (LRU), this new sovereign solution meets the current requirements of the French forces for high-intensity combat and paves the way for longer-range ballistic missiles with improved capability to penetrate defence systems.

Thales and ArianeGroup have reached a major milestone with the successful launch of the FLP-t 150 ballistic munition.

As part of this industrial partnership, Thales is responsible for the overall system – including the ground launcher, fire control and launch system – while ArianeGroup develops the propulsion and guidance systems for the munition.

The FLP-t 150 ballistic munition represents the upper echelon of artillery systems. Its technologies – propulsion, guidance, and control – are derived from ballistic missile systems. The guided rocket can reach ranges beyond 150 km, delivering the precision and robustness required even in GNSS-jammed environments.

The versatile, interoperable X-Fire launcher will conduct its first demonstration firings by the end of May 2026. Its rapid-deployment capability makes it highly compatible to current operational needs of the armies. Extremely mobile, it can be quickly deployed, which makes it particularly suitable for current missions. The X-Fire system and its FLP-t 150 ballistic munition combines sovereignty, interoperability and resilience:

• Sovereignty: 100% French design and production, supported by an industrial chain capable to meet delivery requirements. For Thales, the sites in Cholet (Maine-et-Loire), Élancourt (Yvelines), Gennevilliers (Hauts-de-Seine), La Ferté Saint-Aubin (Loiret), and Valence (Drôme) will be mobilised, as well as the Duppigheim (Bas-Rhin) site for Soframe. For ArianeGroup, the Bordeaux sites will also be engaged in ensuring the programme’s success, alongside a network of partner French SMEs and mid-sized enterprises.
• Interoperability: compatible with both the sovereign FLP-t munition and foreign munitions, X-Fire allows forces to operate seamlessly with allies while meeting the specific requirements of each mission. The fire support system can be easily integrated into the automation chain for firing and artillery communications (ATLAS), which Thales already oversees. X-Fire is inherently designed to accommodate longer-range ballistic missiles for deep-strike operations.
• Resilience: capable of long-range firing with optimal precision, even in contested environments, thanks to the Thales TopStar Smart Receiver. This solution combines three essential operational functions in a single device: positioning, navigation and time management, with unmatched resistance to jamming.

"This firing marks a decisive milestone for long-range land strikes and is the result of collaborative work between Thales and ArianeGroup. The key differentiators of our joint offering are the reliability of the solution and our ability to deliver quickly and to ramp up production. In a high-intensity context, the sovereign, versatile and resilient X-Fire launcher represents a clear asset for the armed forces.” said Hervé Dammann, Executive Vice-President, Land and Air Systems, Thales. ​

"With its apogees reaching several tens of kilometres, its largely supersonic speeds, and the trajectory and maneuvering constraints during both the powered and terminal phases, the FLP-t 150 rocket requires technologies derived from our expertise in ballistic systems. It is within this technological continuity that ArianeGroup brings its unique European expertise to the service of ​ sovereign defence", said Vincent Pery, Director of Defense Programs at ArianeGroup. “This first successful firing at the DGA-EM test site on Ile du Levant demonstrates the quality of our offering and our ability to effectively continue system development with our partner Thales in the next phase of the FLP-t programme. It also opens a new perspective for establishing a conventional ballistic sector that addresses tactical, operational, and strategic capability needs.”

¹Satellite-Based Geolocation and Navigation

ABOUT ARIANEGROUP

ArianeGroup is an industrial company delivering critical missions for the space and defence sectors. With 8,700 highly qualified employees in France and Germany, ArianeGroup has unique expertise in access to space, covering the full spectrum of civil and military launch systems, including design, development, manufacturing, integration, flight preparation, operational readiness and end-of-life decommissioning. ArianeGroup is lead contractor for the Ariane 6 European launcher for the European Space Agency (ESA), and for the French oceanic deterrent force M51 strategic missile for the French Defence Armament Procurement Agency (DGA).

Internationally recognised for its innovative, competitive solutions, ArianeGroup has expertise in state-of-the-art technologies, from the chemistry of propellants and composite materials, to liquid, solid and electric space propulsion systems. ArianeGroup also offers a broad range of space, defence and industrial equipment and services, both individually and together with its subsidiaries Sodern, Pyroalliance, Nuclétudes and APP.

In the field of space launchers, ArianeGroup's subsidiary Arianespace markets and operates the Ariane 6 and Vega-C launchers developed for ESA, and its subsidiary MaiaSpace develops and markets the reusable launcher Maia.

ArianeGroup, equally owned by Airbus and Safran, posted consolidated revenues of €2.6 billion in 2025.

ABOUT THALES

Thales (Euronext Paris: HO) is a global leader in advanced technologies in the defense, aerospace and digital sectors. Its portfolio of innovative products and services helps to address several major challenges: sovereignty, security, sustainability and inclusion.

The Group allocates 4.5 billion euros per year in Research & Development in key areas, notably for critical environments such as Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity, Quantum and Cloud technologies.

Thales has more than 85,000 employees in 65 countries and achieved a turnover of 22.1 billion euros in 2025.

MEDIAS CONTACTS

ArianeGroup, Media Contacts

Gregor WASCHINSKI - T. +33 (0) 7 81 21 41 75 gregor.waschinski@ariane.group

Camille SOHIER - T. +33 (0) 6 49 00 90 75 camille.sohier@ariane.group

Thales Group, Media Relations and Social Medias - Defence

Camille HECK - T. +33 (0) 6 73 78 33 63 Camille.heck@thalesgroup.com ​