Thales Boosts Anti-Drone Rocket Production to 10,000 Annually by 2026
Thales, a leading defense contractor, is ramping up production of its anti-drone rockets to meet increasing demand, particularly from Ukraine. The company expects to boost annual production capacity to 10,000 rockets by 2026.
Thales Belgium is currently producing 3,500 anti-drone 70 mm FZ275 LGR rockets by the end of this year, which are already in use by Ukrainian forces. These rockets, fitted with the new FZ123 anti-drone warhead, have an effective kill zone of about 25 meters in diameter and a flight range of about 3 kilometers. They are compatible with standard NATO 70 mm launchers and can also be fired from upgraded Ukrainian Mi-8 helicopters.
The FZ275 rockets are laser-guided, offering high precision and the ability to hit targets accurately. They are used by several countries, including Belgium and France, for their military operations. The new FZ123 warhead houses nearly a kilogram of explosive and disperses thousands of steel pellets on detonation. Despite their effectiveness, requests from Kyiv already outstrip current production capacity.
Thales is expanding its production capacity to meet the high demand for its anti-drone rockets, particularly the FZ275 LGR. With an expected increase to 10,000 rockets per year by 2026, the company is committed to supporting its clients' defense needs. Meanwhile, the FZ275 rockets continue to prove their worth in combat, providing a crucial layer of defense against drone threats.
