France has conducted the first live firings from its own X-Fire launcher for a precision multiple launch rocket system, bringing a prospective European alternative to the American M142 HIMARS to the testing stage, one that could help Ukraine and Europe reduce their dependence on the United States.
According to a statement from Thales, which is co-developing the system alongside Soframe the firings used its training 68 mm X-Fum rockets, which had previously been launched from other platforms including Tiger attack helicopters.
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The launcher tests followed earlier test flights of the future FLP-t 150 rockets being developed in partnership with ArianeGroup. Serving as an analogue of the GMLRS-ER, the FLP-t 150 has a declared range of up to 150 km. Integrated system testing combining the launcher and the new rockets has yet to take place.
According to the developers, the X-Fire will be capable of firing other munitions as well both domestic and foreign. This suggests that if the Thundart project, being developed by Safran and MBDA as a competitor to the FLP-t 150, wins the competition, it could also be employed from the Thales launcher.
The launcher itself is built on an 8×8 wheeled chassis compatible with the existing French Army vehicle fleet. Although not explicitly stated, the platform has been identified as the German Mercedes-Benz Zetros the vehicle France has selected as its new military truck. It is worth noting that 1,000 such vehicles were also ordered for Ukraine's Defense Forces in 2025, meaning that if the MLRS system is ever delivered to Ukraine, the platform would already be familiar.
France's broader aim is to develop an independent domestic solution that could subsequently be offered as a competitor to the M142 HIMARS, K239 Chunmoo, and PULS. Under current plans, France intends to procure between 13 and 26 X-Fire launchers by 2030, with an associated order of just 300 rockets over the same period.
The United States, meanwhile, appears unenthusiastic about the emergence of a competitor to its HIMARS and is reportedly offering France its own MLRS at unusually fast delivery timelines — a purchase that, while nothing is said explicitly, could significantly damage the reputation of the European alternative.
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