European arms company Thales has created an anti-drone missile with an air-burst warhead that could be an effective means of destroying Shahed and similar drones, Business Insider reports.
It is noted that the manufacturer installs an air burst warhead on 70 mm rockets. The new FZ123 warhead is filled with thousands of tiny steel pellets that accelerate when detonating almost a kilogram of explosive. This creates a "cloud" of debris about 25 meters in diameter that can destroy or damage a drone.
The new missile is said to have a range of up to 3,000 meters. According to Thomas Colinet, director of vehicles and tactical systems at Thales Belgium, missiles have already been sent to Ukraine, and Kyiv's demand exceeds what the company can produce.
"The good thing for us is that if they ask for more, it means they are happy with it," said Thomas Colline.
He declined to say how many warheads were sent to Ukraine. However, according to the publication, Thales Belgium intends to produce approximately 3,500 such missiles by the end of the year and increase annual capacity to 10,000 in 2026.
It is noted that missiles with FZ123 warheads, although more expensive than interceptor drones, are significantly cheaper than anti-aircraft missiles used by Western armies. According to the publication, even the most expensive models of laser-guided mini-missiles produced by Thales usually cost no more than 20% of the price of a conventional anti-aircraft missile.
According to Business Insider, the cheapest AIM-7 Sparrow anti-aircraft missiles, which can be launched from F-16 aircraft, cost about $125,000 per unit. At the same time, the price of drones can range from $500 to $5,000.
Separately, it is indicated that the anti-drone warhead can be mounted on an unguided version of the 70-mm rocket, of which Thales Belgium says it can currently produce 30,000 per year. Under two-shift operation, the plant will be able to produce up to 60,000 annually.
The anti-drone missiles are compatible with standard NATO 70mm launchers, currently used for launch by the American VAMPIRE systems from L3Harris, and can also be launched by some Mi-8 helicopters that have been upgraded to fire NATO munitions. In addition, the missiles with the FZ123 can be launched from trucks.
The missile has a laser guidance system, so it is necessary to illuminate the target until it is hit, but in the case of the Shaheds this can be a problem.
Olivier Heuschen, head of strategy and marketing for vehicles and tactical systems at Thales Belgium, said that if a 70mm guided missile cannot detect a laser, it flies to the last known target for five seconds before continuing its ballistic flight.
It was previously reported that Saab has developed a low-cost Nimbrix anti-drone missile. It can hit at a range of 5 km and operates as a ground-based system. Saab plans to make the first deliveries in 2026.