Europe sends low-cost anti-Shahed missile to Ukraine

European arms manufacturer Thales has developed an anti-drone missile with an airburst warhead that could become an effective means of destroying Shahed drones and similar UAVs.

Source: Business Insider

Details: The manufacturer has equipped 70-mm rockets with a new FZ123 warhead filled with thousands of tiny steel pellets, which are dispersed by nearly one kilogram of explosive upon detonation. This creates a cloud of fragments with a diameter of approximately 25 metres, capable of destroying or damaging a drone.

The missile reportedly has a range of up to 3,000 metres. According to Thomas Colinet, domain director for vehicles and tactical systems at Thales Belgium, the missiles have already been sent to Ukraine. He added that Kyiv's demand exceeds the company's production capacity.

"It's good for us that if they ask for more, it means they're satisfied with it," Colinet said.

He declined to disclose how many warheads had been sent to Ukraine. However, Business Insider reports that Thales Belgium plans to produce around 3,500 of these missiles by the end of the year and increase annual production to 10,000 by 2026.

FZ123-equipped rockets are more expensive than drone interceptors but significantly cheaper than anti-aircraft missiles used by Western armies. Even the most advanced laser-guided mini-missiles made by Thales typically cost no more than 20% of a standard surface-to-air missile.

For comparison, AIM-7 Sparrow missiles, which can be launched from F-16 aircraft, cost about US$125,000 per item. Meanwhile, drone prices range from US$500 to US$5,000.

The anti-drone warhead can also be installed on unguided 70-mm rockets, of which Thales Belgium currently produces 30,000 annually. With two work shifts, the plant could increase production to 60,000 per year.

These anti-drone missiles are compatible with NATO-standard 70-mm launchers. They are currently being launched from US-made VAMPIRE systems by L3Harris and can also be fired from certain Mi-8 helicopters modified to use NATO ammunition. Additionally, the FZ123-equipped rockets can be launched from lorries.

The missile features a laser guidance system, which requires the target to be illuminated until impact. However, this may pose a challenge when targeting Shahed drones.

Olivier Heuschen, head of strategy and marketing for vehicles and tactical systems at Thales Belgium, said that if the 70-mm guided missile cannot detect the laser, it will fly towards the last known target for five seconds before continuing on a ballistic trajectory.

Background: Previously, Saab developed the Nimbrix missile, another low-cost anti-drone solution with a range of 5 km. It operates as a ground-based system, with first deliveries expected in 2026.

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