France has operationalized a 68mm laser-guided rocket system on its Rafale fighter jets to enhance counter-UAV capabilities against kamikaze drones. Developed by Dassault, the platform underwent intensive testing from February 2026 and received approval from the DGA (French Defense Procurement Agency) on July 7, 2026. The system, utilizing the JF12 pod manufactured by Thales, enables each aircraft to carry 24 laser-guided 68mm rockets.

Throughout the testing phase, DGA's Cazaux Flight Test Center, the French Air and Space Force's Military Air Expertise Center (CEAM), Dassault, and rocket manufacturer Aculeus LG and Thales collaborated extensively. Conducted firing and flight tests simulated all operational stages from target detection through laser designation, rocket firing, and impact. UAVs identified by radar were tracked using the TALIOS targeting pod, marked with laser designation, and successfully engaged by the rockets.

The system represents a significant reference point for the Turkish defense industry ecosystem. The proliferation of UAV platforms such as Baykar's Bayraktar TB2 and AKINCI has increased demand for anti-UAV solutions across all NATO nations. France's initiative demonstrates the necessity of employing cost-effective rocket systems as alternatives to expensive air-to-air missiles. Similarly, Turkey's development efforts on platforms such as KAAN and HÜRJET underscore the requirement for such integrated weapon systems.

From a historical perspective, the Rafale platform has undergone continuous modernization since the 1990s. Originally designed for air-to-air and air-to-ground missions, the system has evolved through the addition of electronic warfare, reconnaissance, and surveillance capabilities. The anti-UAV rocket system represents the latest phase in this evolutionary process. France's investment in modular weapon systems ensures the platform remains long-lived and adaptable.

Within the global defense industry context, anti-UAV solutions are rapidly proliferating. The U.S. APKWS (Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System) guidance kits, Israel's Iron Dome system, and France's new rocket platform represent different approaches to countering kamikaze UAVs. Turkey's companies such as ASELSAN and ROKETSAN are similarly advancing comparable technologies, focusing on the development of indigenous air defense and anti-UAV systems. The JF12 pod's 24-rocket capacity provides operational flexibility, while laser guidance offers a solution more resistant to electronic countermeasures compared to GPS-based alternatives.