French Navy and Naval Group test Rampart CIWS at sea during WILDFIRE Exercise

The French Navy and Naval Group tested the Rampart close-in weapon system at sea aboard the amphibious assault ship Mistral during WILDFIRE 26.2, held near Toulon from September 28 to October 2. The modular launcher fired unguided Thales 68 mm rockets against a surface target and guided 68 mm rockets against an aerial drone. A Piorun missile was also integrated and its seeker locked onto a target, but it was not fired. The trials evaluated combinations of effectors for counter-drone defense, with additional SkyKnight and Belgian 70 mm rocket tests planned for 2027.