Thales Belgium Supplies Low-Cost Anti-Drone Airburst Rockets to Ukraine
Thales Belgium has developed a low-cost 70mm rocket armed with an airburst FZ123 warhead to counter Shahed-type drones and similar threats, with an undisclosed quantity already delivered to Ukraine.
The FZ123 warhead packs thousands of small steel pellets, dispersed by roughly 2 pounds (900 grams) of high explosive.
On detonation, it creates a fragment cloud about 80 feet (24 meters) wide, capable of destroying or severely damaging NATO Class II (medium tactical systems, like the Shahed) and Class III (such as larger medium/high-altitude long-endurance platforms) drones, as well as swarms.
Kyiv has placed orders that exceed the manufacturer’s current output capacity, Business Insider quoted the company’s domain director for vehicles and tactical systems, Thomas Colinet, as saying.
Production of FZ123-equipped rockets is expected to reach 3,500 units by the end of 2025, with a target annual capacity of 10,000 by 2026.
Anti-Drone Rockets
The laser-guided 70mm rockets can be launched from multiple platforms, including L3Harris’ VAMPIRE truck-mounted launchers and modified Mi-8 helicopters.
This variant requires continuous laser illumination until impact. If the laser signal is lost, the rocket will fly toward the last known target for five seconds before reverting to ballistic flight, said Thales’ head of strategy and marketing for vehicles and tactical systems, Olivier Heuschen.
An unguided 70mm rocket can also be fitted with the FZ123 airburst warhead.
Thales Belgium reportedly produces about 30,000 unguided 70mm rockets annually and could double output to 60,000 with extra shifts, provided suppliers can keep pace.
The company declined to disclose the FZ123-equipped rocket’s price. The munitions are said to be more expensive than some Ukrainian drone interceptors, which cost anywhere between $500 to $5,000, but remain far cheaper and quicker to produce than conventional missiles.
