French Defense Ministry to procure Krasnopol-M guided artillery shells

The French Ministry of Defense has revived its interest in the purchase of Russian-made KBP Krasnopol-M guided artillery projectiles for the national armed forces. The French Armament Procurement Agency DGA recently awarded Cilas a contract worth 24.6 million euros for the supply of KBP Krasnopol-M shells and Cilas DHY-307 ground laser designators.

Talks on the delivery of the 155mm Krasnopol-M laser-guided artillery projectiles for the French army’s artillery systems have been underway for sufficiently long. Cooperation with French companies may help expand the market for its weapon system because it allows KBP to supply the Krasnopol to countries that traditionally use French-made 155mm artillery systems and equipment.

The first demo tests of the French-Russian Krasnopol precision artillery system took place as early as October 2000. The Krasnopol projectiles were fired from a GIAT TRF1 gun and targets were illuminated by Cilas DHY-307 laser designators. Both Russian- and French-made propellant charges were used.

Krasnopol-M  Russian and French militaries evaluated the compatibility between the Krasnopol projectile and TRF1 gun and between the projectile’s SAL seeker and DHY-307 laser designator.

A total of five qualification shots with no preliminary fire were done: three shots against AMX tank targets, one against a concrete wall 50cm thick and one against a concrete bunker measuring 3,6 x 3,6 x 1,2m with 50cm-thick walls and 40cm-thick reinforced concrete ceiling. The firing range varied between 10.2km and 11.1km, and the targets were illuminated from 1.5-2.7km.

The test results surpassed all expectations. All the projectiles hit their targets. Particularly, all the three tanks placed 100 meters apart were hit on their top (least protected) area and were completely destroyed.

The concrete wall and bunker were also completely destroyed. The tests included also the evaluation of the target engagement capability without changing gun data. Direct hits were provided, with the gun’s aiming point shifted 700-800 meters in range and 300-400 meters in horizon.

The test results had demonstrated the complete compatibility between the Krasnopol guided projectile and the TRF1 gun and DHY-307 laser designator thus proving the feasibility of a Russian-French precision artillery system and its promotion to NATO and third countries markets. Nevertheless, the project has not been revived until 2006.