RAPIDFire Systems See Rapid Adoption by French Armed Forces
The French DGA has placed confirmed orders for 14 RAPIDFire systems, with two already deployed aboard the Fleet Replenishment Ship Jacques Chevallier, which successfully completed two extended Carrier Strike Group missions featuring live-fire trials. Two more systems have just been installed on the Jacques Stosskopf (BRF2), and another will soon equip a new offshore patrol vessel.
The RAPIDFire turret, officially certified in early 2025, combines the CT40 cannon with next-generation optics and 40mm cased telescoped ammunition from CTAI. This system offers exceptional defensive firepower, supporting up to 140 rounds ready-to-fire without reloading and capable of intercepting multiple airborne and surface threats within a 4 km radius.
RAPIDFire’s modular design supports adaptation to land-based defense systems. Thales and KNDS France are collaborating with the French Air and Space Force to develop both semi-mobile and mobile variants to protect airbases and high-value targets at home and abroad.
The A3B airburst round, expected to fully operationalize the system’s anti-aircraft potential by 2027, will provide highly effective protection against a range of aerial threats, including loitering munitions, drones, and RAM attacks.
