Andreas Michaelides*

Thales Belgium, a leading manufacturer of 70mm guided and unguided rockets, has expanded its product range in C-UAS solutions by reintroducing the FZ123 warhead and by presenting the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Saboteur as a new launch platform for the FZ275 laser-guided rocket.

Having first been presented at EUROSATORY 2024, the FZ123 warhead returned to the spotlight at DroneVation & Defence 2025 in Vienna, where DEFENCE ReDEFiNED spoke with company executives.

The FZ123 anti-UAS (C-UAS) warhead, derived from the FZ275 LGR rocket

The FZ123 warhead is an Air-Burst programmable fragmentation warhead based on the FZ275 LGR rocket. Combined with the FZ90 rocket motor, it is designed to counter small drones and drone swarms. Inside the warhead are approximately 6,500 small steel pellets. With a programmable detonator, the warhead detonates at a predetermined point and creates a cloud of pellets capable of destroying or severely damaging a drone. The reported range is approximately 3,000 metres, and it can engage targets at altitudes of up to around 2,500 metres.  

Screenshot from video showing the FZ123 warhead in action 

According to reports on the Forces Operations Blog, the Armed Forces of Ukraine will be the first users of the FZ123 warhead rocket, under an agreement between Thales Belgium and a Ukrainian manufacturer authorising the production of the FZ123 on Ukrainian soil. 

Also read: BAE Systems | Major Milestone in Low-Cost Drone-Launched Precision Munitions

The initiative aims to meet the demand for C-UAS munitions in Ukraine, where Ukrainian forces already use similar APKWS (Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System) rockets. 

As reported by the Ukrainian page Militarnyi, due to the single calibre of 70 mm this particular rocket will be compatible with the Vampire system, which the Armed Forces of Ukraine heavily leverage to intercept Russian drones.

Also read: USA | Ukraine to receive VAMPIRE CUAS system

Scale model of the MEA Saboteur

Alongside the FZ123 warhead, Thales showcased Belgium’s Sol.One ‘Saboteur’ UAV as a reusable weapons carrier for the FZ275 LGR rocket. The Saboteur has a flight range of up to 500 km (from runway) and can reach altitudes of up to 3,000 metres. It features a 30x optical zoom and a 16x digital zoom with day-and-night capability. The platform measures 2.30 m in length with a wingspan of 4.00 m, and it can carry up to two launch tubes. It can launch from between 1 km and 7 km from the target and uses visual confirmation and operator approval prior to launch. 

It is highly accurate, with a Circular Error Probable (CEP) of about 1 m relative to the laser designator. Thales said the Saboteur can operate in a swarm configuration, with one operator controlling up to six drones. Company documentation also mentions the possibility of integrating the Saboteur into containers for their rapid deployment (15 Saboteurs in a 40-foot container).

Depiction of 15 Saboteurs in a 40ft container

The FZ275 LGR is an approximately 12 kg guided rocket carrying the 4.1 kg FZ277 warhead. The warhead contains about 1 kg of Composition B explosive and can penetrate about 6 mm of steel — enough to neutralise light vehicles, unarmoured targets, artillery and air-defence systems, radar or small ships. As Thales representatives stated at DroneVation & Defence 2025: “There is a roadmap underway for this rocket that will allow it to carry a new shaped-charge warhead capable of piercing up to 15-20cm of armour.”

The FZ275 LGR guided rocket

Thales has long been exploring the complex but promising path of using UAVs as launch platforms, with several projects underway. Examples include collaborations with the Greek company Spirit Aeronautical Systems (SAS) for the SRS-1A drone and with the AIHIMI AHM-1X loitering munition.

Also read: SAS Technology | Achieves another milestone on the UCAV SARISA 2.75” rocket fire testing program – Photos & VIDEO

The scope of application of the FZ275 LGR also includes aerial platforms such as the Airbus H145M helicopters recently acquired by the Cyprus National Guard. In particular, the Cypriot H145Ms are equipped, among others, with a 12-tube launcher for Thales’ 70mm FZ231 unguided rockets, which is also capable of carrying a combination of nine FZ231 unguided rockets and three laser-guided FZ275 LGR rockets.

Thales’ 12x 70mm rocket launcher on National Guard H145M helicopter

Asked by DEFENCE ReDEFiNED whether the new FZ123 anti-drone warhead can be used by helicopters or drones, Thales responded that in its first phase of development it is planned to be mounted on a surface-to-air launcher or a vehicle turret.

Also read: EUROSATORY 2022 | Presentation of Airbus H145M with SPIKE ER-2 missiles and complete armament suite – VIDEO & Photos

*Special Associate

**This article was translated and summarised from its Greek original.