The French Air and Space Force has acknowledged an urgent requirement for several dozen RAPIDFire anti-drone guns, known in Ukraine as "drone killers", developed by Thales and KNDS France. Yet despite the immediate threat posed by hostile UAVs, procurement timelines indicate that even in the best-case scenario, France would not receive the systems before 2030.
According to FOB, a parliamentary report on future defense spending outlines the need for seven complete RAPIDFire air defense systems, each consisting of four 40 mm guns. Ideally, the military hopes to have these systems delivered by 2035, meaning an entire decade of waiting. Some members of parliament, however, argue that the planned €3.5 billion budget surplus for 2026 could be used to place an accelerated order for the first 12 guns, which would enable delivery of three to four complete systems by 2030.
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The development timeline further complicates expectations. The RapidFire system is being produced in two configurations: a self-propelled variant, mounted on 6x6 or 8x8 truck chassis, and a fixed ground system.
The stationary version is expected to be ready by 2027, but it will lack critical capabilities such as stabilization. Only after this initial version will engineers begin work on the mobile, fully operational variant with cabin-integrated controls.
This reflects a typical pattern of slow, incremental European weapons development, despite the fact that the threat from drones is already here.
This slow pace is particularly striking given that France recently demonstrated its ability to create a quick-reaction anti-drone system. The Proteus gun platform was developed in just four months, using modernized components from older 53T2 systems. While not entirely new, the Proteus system proved to be a cheap and rapid solution, sparking strong interest from the French Army. These guns are now expected to complement existing anti-drone assets such as the ATLAS RC launchers for the Mistral missiles mounted on the Serval DSA vehicles, and the Serval LAD platforms equipped with 30 mm cannons.
By contrast, the RapidFire program appears to be supported only by the French Air and Space Force, which sees it as a key tool for safeguarding airfields against UAV attacks. The lack of broader interest across the services raises questions about the overall scale of procurement, and whether such limited numbers would be sufficient for national air defense needs.
The timing remains the biggest concern. With drone warfare evolving rapidly, from cheap FPVs to long-endurance reconnaissance UAVs, the ability to protect air bases and critical infrastructure depends on quick deployment of mobile, accurate counter-UAV systems. A delivery window starting around 2030 risks leaving the Air and Space Force exposed for years.
Although France has several anti-drone programs underway, including rapid interim solutions like the Proteus, the long-term RapidFire procurement schedule highlights a major gap between operational urgency and industrial timelines. Whether the system arrives too late to meet the threats of the coming decade is a question that French lawmakers and the military will need to resolve quickly.
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