Paris Air Show 2025: France evaluates low-cost rockets for Rafale C-UAS role

A mock-up of a Thales 68 mm rocket pod was shown alongside a French Air and Space Force Rafale at the Paris Air Show 2025. The service is now evaluating such a weapon system for the C-UAS role. (Janes/Gareth Jennings)

The French Air and Space Force is evaluating the use of rockets as a cost-effective counter-unmanned aircraft system (C-UAS) solution for its Dassault Rafale combat aircraft.

Speaking to Janes at the Paris Air Show 2025 held at Le Bourget from 16 to 22 June, chief engineer Sebastian (surname withheld for security reasons) of the French defence procurement agency (Direction Générale de l'Armement: DGA) spelled out the thinking behind this development, as well as details about its planned implementation.

“We absolutely have to start using rockets for the counter-UAS mission, because we cannot keep using our high-value missiles in this role,” he said on 17 June. “We are now evaluating both unguided and guided rockets, and it is something that we are looking to implement very soon,” Sebastian added.

The French Air and Space Force had previously employed unguided 68 mm rocket pods on its Dassault Mirage 2000 combat aircraft, until retiring the weapon system “because there was just no demand for it”, he said. It is intended that the service could now use some of these surplus and stored rocket pods for the C-UAS mission, or that new laser-guided systems could be acquired.

For the rocket pod solution, Sebastian noted that multiple configuration options were available from the Rafale's 14 hardpoints, but that two pods per wing were a most realistic loadout.