RM-48U Ballistic Missile for S-400 Contains French Laser Module for Gyroscopes

French-made 3SP Technologies laser modules for gyroscopes have been found in RM-48U ballistic missiles that Russia launches from S-400 and S-300PM air defense systems.

The information was presented during a briefing by Vladyslav Vlasiuk, the Ukrainian president’s sanctions policy commissioner, according to a Militarnyi correspondent.

Russia developed the missile based on the 48N6 family of surface-to-air missiles to strike ground targets and overwhelm enemy air defenses.

In recent months, Russia has increased its use of RM-48U missiles during large-scale combined attacks against Ukraine.

In early June, Ukraine’s Defense Intelligence reported that Russia had more than doubled the production rate of these missiles. In 2026, the Russian leadership planned to produce more than 480 RM-48U missiles.

Laser module manufactured by French company 3SP Technologies and used in the RM-48U missile. Photo credits: Militarnyi

During the event, a cooled laser module manufactured by French company 3SP Technologies that was found in the missile was presented.

It is used in fiber-optic gyroscopes (FOGs) and in some types of solid-state ring laser gyroscopes (RLGs).

Depending on the type used, these components serve functions in high-precision inertial navigation systems. In particular, they are used:

• as a pump source for active fiber (EDFA/ASE) in interferometric fiber-optic gyroscopes (IFOGs);
• for solid-state and fiber Bragg grating (FBG) lasers in ring laser gyroscopes (RLGs).

The RM-48U missile also uses 12-channel Kometa antennas containing U.S.-made components.

The missile carries a high-explosive fragmentation warhead weighing about 150–180 kg.

The first confirmed use of this missile was on the night of January 20, 2026, when Ukrainian authorities found RM-48U debris following a Russian strike.

Missiles of this type were also identified among the weapons used by Russian forces during a large-scale attack on June 2, 2026. Another confirmed use of the RM-48U occurred on July 19, when Russia launched a large-scale missile and drone attack against Ukraine, using these missiles alongside other ballistic missiles.