Since the beginning of the war in the Middle East, the French army has shot down nearly 80 Iranian Shahed drones, reveals JDD. The issue: Mica missiles, fired from Rafale jets, cost around 600,000 euros each. The Ministry of Defense is therefore testing other, less expensive weapons.
The economic equation is simple and cannot continue indefinitely. To destroy a Shahed kamikaze drone, estimated at 30,000 euros, the French army uses Mica missiles, each priced at 600,000 euros, making them 20 times more expensive. Since the start of the war in the Middle East, triggered by Israeli-American strikes in Iran on February 28, Paris has adopted a defensive strategy to protect its allies in the region. But its commitment, although discreet, comes at a cost. According to information from JDD, nearly 80 Shahed drones have been shot down by France in less than two months in the Gulf.
The new system “available this summer”
To preserve its stocks, the Ministry of Armed Forces is therefore testing other, less expensive munitions, as indicated by the delegate general for armaments on Wednesday, April 15, at the National Assembly. Patrick Pailloux explained that work had been initiated to integrate new weapons under the wings of the Rafale, these formidable French fighter jets. These are “rockets that are notably manufactured by Thales and obviously cost much less than Mica,” he specified in front of members of the national defense committee. The new system is currently in development and will be “available this summer”.
The 68 mm rockets, already used on Tiger helicopters, have a semi-active laser guidance system that allows them to engage targets at distances of up to 5,000 meters. These munitions, considered versatile and very light, would therefore be suitable against kamikaze drones. This change in strategy would lead to significant savings and allow the Mica, state-of-the-art interception missiles, to be kept for the destruction of more complex threats.
published on April 20 at 8:30 pm, Cédric Alexis, 6Medias
