France has conducted the first firing tests of the promising X-Fire launcher for a high-precision multiple launch rocket system, which is considered a European counterpart to the American HIMARS. This was reported by Defense Express with reference to the Thales company, according to UNN.
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During the tests, 68mm X-Fum training rockets were used, which were previously launched from Tiger attack helicopters. At the same time, the primary armament for the X-Fire is expected to be the new FLP-T 150 missiles, which Thales is developing together with ArianeGroup. They are intended to have a range of up to 150 km and serve as an analog to the American GMLRS-ER; however, joint testing of the system and the new munitions is still ahead.
Defense Express notes that France aims to create its own independent multiple launch rocket system capable of competing with HIMARS, the South Korean K239 Chunmoo, and the Israeli PULS. The X-Fire launcher is based on the Mercedes-Benz Zetros 8x8 chassis, which is already familiar to Ukraine—one thousand such trucks have been ordered for the Defense Forces for 2025.
Analysts emphasize that the emergence of X-Fire could help Europe and Ukraine reduce their dependence on American weaponry.
At the same time, according to Defense Express, the US is actively promoting HIMARS on the European market and offering France rapid deliveries of its systems, which could complicate the development of the French project.