Belgium Shows Testing of F-16 with FZ275 Laser-Guided Rockets in C-UAS Trial

Key Takeaways

• Belgium tested inert FZ275 rockets on F‑16s against medium drones.
• Tests conducted at Lomardsijde with land, navy, Thales collaboration.
• 70 mm rockets provide affordable, rapid‑response C‑UAS capability.
• Similar low‑cost rockets proved effective in Ukraine’s drone war.
• Integration supports NATO’s push for legacy platform upgrades.

Pulse Analysis

Belgium’s recent Counter‑UAS trial showcases how a conventional fighter can be repurposed to meet the growing drone threat. By mounting two LAU‑131A/A pods loaded with inert 70 mm FZ275 laser‑guided rockets, a single F‑16 demonstrated precise strikes on target drones over the North Sea. The exercise, coordinated with the army, navy and Thales Belgium, underscores a pragmatic approach: leveraging existing airframes and inexpensive munitions to fill a capability gap while the nation phases in a modern F‑35 fleet. This hybrid strategy preserves the operational relevance of the country’s 43‑44 F‑16s.

The Belgian effort reflects a broader shift in Western militaries toward cost‑effective C‑UAS solutions. In Ukraine, forces have repeatedly employed laser‑guided rockets such as the U.S. APKWS and the same 70 mm class to neutralize cheap, expendable UAVs that cost as little as $5,000‑$10,000. By contrast, the launch platforms are worth tens of millions, creating a stark cost asymmetry that cheap rockets help to balance. The success of these low‑cost weapons has spurred interest in integrating them onto legacy platforms, offering a rapid, scalable response without the need for dedicated anti‑drone systems.

For NATO and European defense planners, Belgium’s test provides a template for enhancing air‑defense resilience across the alliance. The ability to field an affordable, ready‑to‑use C‑UAS kit on both legacy fighters and newer fifth‑generation aircraft could accelerate standardisation and joint training. As the Russian‑Ukrainian war continues to highlight the prevalence of inexpensive attack drones, adopting such retrofit solutions may become a cornerstone of collective security, ensuring that air forces can counter emerging threats without prohibitive procurement cycles.