The Belgian Air Force carried out tests with F-16 fighter jets to assess the use of 70 mm FZ275 missiles in drone interception, betting on a low-cost solution to counter unmanned aerial threats.
The initiative was announced by the Ministry of Defence, which also released images of the simulations.
The exercises focused on the aircraft’s ability to detect, track and neutralise medium-sized drones, which are considered growing risks to military facilities and strategic infrastructure. During the tests, the fighter jets used underwing launchers capable of multiple firings, although the missiles employed did not carry warheads.
Developed by Thales Belgium, the FZ275 missiles are laser-guided and have gained attention as an efficient and economical alternative in the fight against drones. The project involved joint collaboration between different branches of the Belgian armed forces, as well as the defence industry.
These missiles are already being used on the Ukrainian battlefield, where they are employed against Russian drones with international financial support. With plans to expand production and establish industrial partnerships in Ukraine, the manufacturer aims to strengthen supply and expand response capacity against this type of threat.
The Air Force tested a capability against medium-sized attack drones in Lombardsijde. In cooperation with the Army, the Navy and Thales Belgium: 70 mm FZ275 missiles without a charge on #F16, as an efficient and affordable solution against the UAS threat pic.twitter.com/So7Afwy3XK
— Belgian Defence (@BelgiumDefence) April 30, 2026
Source: Militarnyi | Photo: X @BelgiumDefence | This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team
