Thales Belgium has signed a memorandum with Ukraine to jointly produce 70mm rockets aimed at countering the increasing threat of hostile drones, according to the Militarnyi.
The collaboration, announced by Herman Smetanin, Ukraine’s Minister of Strategic Industries, is expected to strengthen Ukraine’s domestic defense industry and boost its ability to protect critical infrastructure.
“This cooperation will strengthen Ukraine’s defense industry and help safeguard our critical infrastructure against enemy drones,” said Smetanin, emphasizing the strategic importance of the partnership for Ukraine’s ongoing war with Russia.
As part of the agreement, Thales Belgium will work with Ukrainian defense firms to manufacture 70mm FZ275 Laser Guided Rockets (LGR), a lower-cost guided rocket compatible with launchers that can also fire the Hydra and APKWS systems. The FZ275 LGR provides a flexible and economical option for precision targeting, making it suitable for a range of platforms, from helicopters to fixed-wing aircraft and ground-based launchers.
Initially developed by Forges de Zeebrugge, the FZ275 LGR is produced at Thales’ weapons facility in Herstal, Belgium. Widely utilized by European forces, it serves as an advanced variant of the FZ90 unguided rocket, featuring laser guidance for accuracy against fast-moving or small targets, such as drones. This guidance capability enables operators to target drones and other critical threats with enhanced precision.
Beyond immediate production, the agreement with Thales Belgium holds the potential for technology transfer, which could eventually allow Ukraine to independently manufacture these advanced rockets. Smetanin noted that the possibility of local production of FZ275 LGRs would provide Ukraine with a sustainable, homegrown solution for drone defense.