Overview
- France's defence procurement agency completed integration tests on July 7 and declared the LADAC counter‑UAS package to have reached initial operational capability in mid‑July.
- The package pairs 68 mm laser‑guided rockets carried in TELSON/JF12 pods with the TALIOS targeting pod to detect, track, laser‑designate and engage small loitering attack drones from a Rafale.
- Officials framed the move as a cost response because a MICA air‑to‑air missile costs about $1–2 million while a Shahed‑type drone is roughly $50,000 and a 68 mm guided rocket is reported at about $25,000–$40,000.
- Choosing a rocket already cleared for the Tiger helicopter sped procurement and testing that began in February and used DGA ranges at Cazaux, Bicarosse and Balma to demonstrate the full detection‑to‑kill chain.
- Dassault also reported a simulated collaborative engagement linking a Rafale F4 with a drone carrying the NAMIB electronic‑warfare payload, pointing to combined sensor/EW and kinetic approaches and mirroring similar moves by allied air forces.