Ukraine has received and is already using air defense systems from Thales to counter russian drones. Specifically, this refers to the FZ605 launcher, capable of carrying up to five 70-mm rockets.
Thales representatives shared this information with observer Jeff21461 at the BEDEX 2026 defense exhibition. According to them, the system utilizes the entire range of available rockets, including the well-known FZ275 and FZ123.
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Available information indicates that the Ukrainian military is deploying the FZ605 launcher, but its exact vehicle platform is unknown. At the same time, it was displayed at the exhibition mounted on a Polaris vehicle.
It functions as a sort of European equivalent to the American Vampire anti-aircraft system.The latter has been supplied to Ukraine and typically uses APKWS rockets from BAE Systems. Thanks to their relatively low cost of around $31,000, they have proven highly effective against UAVs.
As for the FZ275 rockets, they are known to have been transferred to the Ukrainian military. The rockets were once thought to be used with the Vampire system, but recent news suggests they may have been fired from the FZ605 instead. It is also known that Ukraine had reportedly planned to localize production of the FZ275.
What makes the FZ123 rockets even more remarkable is their warhead, packed with thousands of tiny steel balls that create a "cloud" several dozen meters in diameter when detonated. It is specifically designed to counter drones.
In other words, Europe possesses its own anti-drone air defense capability. This is a positive development, especially given the new geopolitical situation, where the United States is becoming an unreliable partner and may redirect weapons to serve its own interests.
The main challenge at the moment remains the production rate, which is too low to meet demand. In 2025, production was expected to reach 3,500 rockets per year, and in 2026, the plan was to reach 10,000 units.
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