The French defense procurement agency has ordered new air defense and counter-drone systems for 600 million euros ($624 million).
All three wings of the French Armed Forces will receive the systems as part of the Military Programming Law 2024-2030.
The law calls for a comprehensive upgrade of French air defense capabilities during this decade, with an allocation of 5 billion euros ($5.2 billion).
“Led by the [defense procurement agency], these programs and their future increments must enable continued improvement in the performance of weapons systems and the rise in power of these new capabilities,” the agency stated.
Contracts
Three French companies have been awarded the four contracts: MBDA France, KNDS France, and Thales.
The first contract to MBDA France is for eight vertical launch (VL) MICA launchers and ammunition for the French Air and Space Force.
The vehicle-mounted short-range system is particularly effective against mass attacks of low-signature targets such as guided bombs and missiles, including cruise missiles).
A VL MICA system comprises a vehicle-mounted command and control system, a tri-dimensional radar mounted on a separate vehicle, and three to six vertical launchers, also mounted on vehicles.
Mobile Air Defense for Land Forces
The second award goes to KNDS France for the development and production of two new versions of the SERVAL multi-role armored vehicle.
It includes the delivery of 30 SERVAL DSA (ground-to-air defense) vehicles equipped with the ATLAS RC turret from MBDA France that can fire the MISTRAL surface-to-air missile.
Also included in the award is the delivery of 24 SERVAL LAD (counter drone) vehicles featuring a remotely operated turret with a 30 mm cannon and autonomous detection systems.
According to the defense procurement agency, the vehicles will be adapted for “engagement in high-intensity conflicts,” and be deployed to “contribute to the establishment by the Army of an accompanying anti-aircraft bubble, to protect land forces deployed in operations.”
Ship-Mounted Systems
The third award to MBDA France is for the acquisition of the vessel-mounted SIMBAD-RC anti-air self-defense system, featuring the MISTRAL missile as an effector.
The system will be integrated with the French Navy’s offshore patrol vessels and supply vessels.
Lastly, KNDS France and Thales Land & Air Systems have been contracted for the development of a 40 mm anti-aircraft artillery munition.
The munition will be deployed on the French Navy ships to enhance their self-defense capabilities.
“With these new systems and the Franco-Italian “high layer” ground-to-air defence system SAMP-T NG from EUROSAM (THALES LAS and MBDA), France will have a complete, modern and efficient range of surface-to-air defence and anti-drone capabilities capable of dealing with the entire spectrum of threats in a coordinated manner,” Paris added.
