RAFALE, MIRAGE, TIGER: KNDS France, Main Armament Supplier for French Fighter Jets and Combat Helicopters

• KNDS France showcases its airborne medium-caliber solutions with proven and recognized performance;

• War economy efforts are benefiting the production of KNDS France’s airborne medium-caliber systems, manufactured at the KNDS site in Bourges;

• 20 mm or 30 mm, the aerial mountings used on the RAFALE and the TIGER deliver unmatched performance.

KNDS France: European Leader in Airborne Medium Caliber

KNDS France is presenting its airborne medium-caliber solutions, backed by its expertise in weapon and ammunition integration. KNDS France has supplied over 780 mounts currently in service abroad, including with many European defense forces such as Germany and Romania, as well as the French armed forces.

KNDS France’s airborne medium-caliber solutions are all combat proven and currently in production. These include the 30mm cannons for the RAFALE fighter jet (30M791) and the TIGER attack helicopter (30M781), as well as 20mm cannons integrated into various mounts on H145M, H225M, and LCH combat helicopters. These systems have been tested and proven in numerous operational theaters, including Mali, Lebanon, and Afghanistan.

Industrial Capabilities Tailored for High-Intensity Conflict and Innovation

To meet growing demand, industrial efforts aligned with the war economy strategy have enabled KNDS France to ramp up production of its medium-caliber mounts. This includes a significant increase in the production rate of 30mm systems and a doubling of 20mm mount production over the last three years.

KNDS France remains vigilant and responsive to evolving technologies and operational needs. Innovation is therefore a central pillar in the development of airborne medium-caliber systems. Smart munitions are among the ongoing areas of research and development.

Operational Superiority of KNDS France’s Airborne Systems

The 20mm solutions are based on the 20M621, designed specifically for aviation, offering recoil comparable to a 12.7mm machine gun but with significantly greater terminal effect. This includes the under-cabin turret mount (THL20), selected by Romanian and Indian forces; the pod-mounted version (20M621), recently chosen by German forces; and the door-mounted version (SH20), favored by special forces. The 20M621 cannon is ideally suited to the operational needs of air, land, and naval forces.

KNDS France also offers 30mm cannons, such as the 30M781. In its under-cabin turret configuration (THL30), it equips the TIGER helicopter and is also available in a ground-based version.

Finally, KNDS France is exhibiting the fastest single-barrel cannon in the world, currently equipping the RAFALE. With an instantly available firing rate of 2,500 rounds per minute, the 30M791 delivers over 40 shells per second at a velocity of 1,000 m/s.