France Integrated Low-Cost 68-mm Guided Missiles onto the Rafale to Combat Drones

The French Rafale fighter jet has gained a new capability to combat drones thanks to the integration of low-cost 68-mm laser-guided missiles.

The French Ministry of Armed Forces announced this.

Experts have successfully completed testing of the LADAC (Lutte Anti-Drone sur Avion de Combat) system, which enables interception of drones with 68-mm laser-guided Aculeus LG missiles.

The system is based on missiles launched by pilots from 12-round JF12/TELSON launchers manufactured by Thales.

Guidance is provided by the TALIOS targeting pod, which tracks the target and illuminates it with a laser until it is destroyed. The RBE2 AESA onboard radar system detects drones, after which the crew can carry out the interception using ammunition that is significantly cheaper than the traditional MICA missile.

Testing of the new system began in February 2026, with the participation of the French Defense Procurement Agency (DGA), the Center for Military Aviation Expertise (CEAM), Dassault Aviation, and Thales.

During the tests, experts evaluated the system’s performance at every stage—from radar target detection to combat launches of guided missiles against target drones.

They also assessed the impact of the missile pods on the fighter’s flight characteristics and the system’s effectiveness under active electronic warfare conditions.

According to the French Ministry of Armed Forces, the system has already achieved initial operational readiness.

Thales is preparing for serial production of LADAC kits, and the first deliveries of the new missile pods to combat units will begin as early as July.

This will allow for the rapid integration of this new capability into fighter jets on combat duty.

It is worth noting that, in addition to the Rafale, the British company BAE Systems has already integrated APKWS rockets and tested them on fighter jets during an operation to shoot down Iranian drones in the Middle East.