A Rafale M fighter jet of the French Navy (Marine Nationale) has been spotted equipped with a 68 mm laser-guided rocket launcher from Thales.
According to The Aviationist, the system was first unveiled at the Paris Air Show 2025 as a low-cost solution against drones and asymmetric threats.
With that in mind, the recent image reinforces the idea that the French armed forces have finally implemented a long-discussed plan to equip the jet with a cost-effective capability against Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS).
The image was first published by Jean-Luc Cardey on Facebook on April 16, 2026, and later shared on X by the defense aviation page Bruno_Aviation.
Later, other French users claimed that the image may have been captured at Istres-Le Tubé Air Base (Base Aérienne 125/BA 125), which also hosts the flight test center of the French procurement agency (Direction Générale de l’Armement – DGA).
The aircraft in question is the Rafale M “1”, the first production aircraft, used for experimental and development purposes. According to the page Bruno_Aviation, the system installed on it could be the Thales JF12 pod, capable of carrying 12 68 mm rockets, totaling 24 rockets if two pods are used in a symmetrical configuration.
The TALIOS targeting pod can also be seen mounted under the starboard engine intake, used for target acquisition, tracking, and laser designation. This makes the Rafale capable of anti-drone operations.
“A Rafale equipped with laser-guided rockets has been spotted in Istres. Tests have finally begun. Here is a Thales JF12 pod, totaling 24 68 mm rockets. One more tool for the Rafale—the hunt for Shahed is open!” wrote Bruno_Aviation.
Later, other sources suggested that the pod may actually be the TELSON 12 JF rocket launcher, developed by TDA Armements, a subsidiary of Thales. Thales presented the system at the June 2025 edition of the Paris Air Show, stating that it is designed to fire the 68 mm laser-guided Aculeus-LG rocket.
In any case, the modification suggests that France is increasingly taking low-cost counter-drone systems more seriously. “We undoubtedly need to start using rockets for anti-drone missions, because we cannot continue using our high-value missiles for this role,” an unidentified DGA official told Janes.
Un Rafale équipé de roquettes guidées laser aperçu à Istres. Les essais ont donc enfin démarré. Ici une nacelle Thalès JF12, donc 24 roquettes 68mm au total. Une corde de plus à l’arc du Rafale, la chasse au Shahed est OUVERTE ! pic.twitter.com/6v0xSMkUJ1
— bruno aviation (@Bruno_Aviation) April 16, 2026
Photos: French Air and Space Force / X @Bruno_Aviation. This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
