Thales-KNDS RapidFire Land Air Defence System: Paris, France – June 17, 2025 – In a significant leap forward for land-based air defence, defence giants Thales and KNDS France today unveiled RAPIDFire Land, a highly anticipated terrestrial variant of their formidable 40 mm RAPIDFire Naval defence system. The announcement, made just hours ago, marks a pivotal moment in safeguarding critical infrastructure and mobile assets against an increasingly complex array of aerial threats, from swarming drones to sophisticated missiles.
The RAPIDFire system, a collaborative masterpiece co-developed by Thales and KNDS France, has already proven its mettle at sea. The French defence procurement agency (DGA) has placed orders for 48 units, with 14 specifically earmarked for French Navy vessels.
Notably, the first two systems are already fully operational on board France’s new-generation fleet replenishment tankers, the BRF Jacques Chevallier and Jacques Stosskopf, having successfully completed rigorous live-fire exercises during long-duration deployments with France’s carrier strike group. A fifth system is soon to be installed on a new French Navy offshore patrol vessel, underscoring the system’s proven reliability and versatility in a naval context.
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The full qualification of the RAPIDFire system earlier in 2025, enabling its use with all existing 40CT munitions, paved the way for this land-based expansion. This remotely operated 40 mm system, incorporating the cutting-edge 40CT cannon, offers an unparalleled close-in self-defence capability. Its state-of-the-art optronics, jointly designed by Thales and KNDS France, combined with the innovative 40 mm cased telescoped munition technology developed by CTAI (a subsidiary of KNDS France), delivers unmatched firepower.
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RapidFire Land ADS.
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Thales-KNDS RapidFire Land Air Defence System
A key feature of the RAPIDFire system is its impressive ready rack, capable of holding up to 140 rounds. This substantial capacity translates to the interception of dozens of targets without the need for reloading, providing sustained protection in high-intensity scenarios. Furthermore, its sophisticated fire control system meticulously recalibrates its aim after every round fired, dynamically adjusting for the target’s speed and direction of travel – a critical advantage in engaging fast-moving and unpredictable threats.
RAPIDFire is engineered to counter a broad spectrum of airborne and surface threats, including light aircraft, drones, loitering munitions, and missiles, at ranges of up to 4 kilometres. Its 40 mm cannon’s compatibility with all telescoped munitions, especially the A3B (Anti Aerial Airburst) round, positions it as a formidable asset against aerial adversaries.
The decision to develop a land-based version of RAPIDFire emerged from direct discussions with the French Air and Space Force, who identified a pressing need for robust protection of high-value assets at air bases both domestically and during overseas deployments. This collaboration has culminated in two distinct configurations for RAPIDFire Land:
Firstly, a semi-mobile version designed for site protection. This configuration features a 20-foot platform that can be readily set up on the ground, offering swift deployment and redeployment capabilities to various critical locations as operational requirements evolve.
Secondly, a highly mobile variant where the 20-foot platform is mounted directly onto a vehicle. This configuration is specifically tailored to protect high-value assets within the theatre of operations, providing dynamic and responsive defence as forces move and adapt to changing environments.
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Naval RapidFIre Air Defence System.
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RapidFire Air Defence System
Central to RAPIDFire’s air defence prowess is the ongoing development of the Anti Aerial Airburst (A3B) munition. Leveraging the proven airburst technology of the GPR-AB-T round, the A3B delivers a payload of tungsten subprojectiles with a directional terminal effect. This innovative design significantly enhances its effectiveness against a wide array of aerial targets, including drones, helicopters, light aircraft, fighter jets, low-end subsonic missiles, and even RAM (rocket, artillery, mortar) threats. Currently at Technology Readiness Level 5, the A3B munition is on track for full operational capability in anti-air mode by 2027. A contract modification awarded in late 2024 has already set in motion the development, production engineering, qualification, and delivery of a first batch of 500 A3B munitions, signaling a strong commitment to this advanced capability.
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The unveiling of RAPIDFire Land underscores the strategic partnership between Thales and KNDS France, two powerhouses in the European defence landscape. Thales, a global leader in advanced technologies with a strong focus on Defence, Aerospace, and Cyber & Digital sectors, continues to invest heavily in Research & Development, particularly in critical areas such as Artificial Intelligence and cybersecurity. KNDS, the result of a joint venture between Krauss-Maffei Wegmann and Nexter, represents a significant consolidation in the European land defence systems industry, aiming for greater standardization and interoperability for NATO and European customers.
The introduction of RAPIDFire Land is more than just a new product launch; it signifies a paradigm shift in how nations can protect their vital assets against the ever-evolving complexities of modern aerial warfare. As threats become more sophisticated and ubiquitous, systems like RAPIDFire will be indispensable in ensuring security and operational continuity for forces worldwide.
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