Thales Belgium has more than doubled its guided rocket production capacity in response to the surging demand following recent conflicts in the Middle East. The company expects to reach an annual output of 20,000 units by 2028, averaging roughly 100 guided rockets per day to keep pace with the evolving global security landscape.
A shift to mass production to meet urgent international needs
The industrial strategy at Thales Belgium has undergone a significant transformation, moving toward a „make-to-stock” model. This acceleration is a direct consequence of the geopolitical situation in the Middle East, as the company prepares to supply high volumes of munitions. By focusing on mass production and cost-effective solutions, the manufacturer aims to be ready the moment formal requests are finalized.
The 70 mm rocket as a cost-effective counter-drone solution
The 70 mm guided rocket is a key component of the Skydefender integrated air defense platform, sharing conceptual similarities with systems like Israel’s Iron Dome. A major selling point is its affordability; the rocket costs about one-tenth the price of a high-end missile. This makes it a highly sustainable option for counter-drone missions, where using expensive interceptors against low-cost targets is often financially impractical.
European strategic autonomy and the interest of Gulf states
There is a growing appetite among Gulf nations for European defense solutions as an alternative to US-made hardware. Thales Belgium is currently discussing potential technology transfers and localized production with regional authorities. Embracing local manufacturing is seen as a vital step in penetrating the lucrative Gulf market, where countries increasingly demand the ability to produce and maintain their own defense systems.
Precision manufacturing and extreme weather testing at Fort d’Evegnée
Production takes place at the historic Fort d’Evegnée, where specialized teams perform manual validation tests on critical sub-parts, such as the fins responsible for trajectory adjustment. To ensure operational reliability in the harsh climates of the Middle East, these rockets are tested in temperatures ranging from minus 46 to plus 66 degrees Celsius. This ensures that the laser-guided systems remain precise, whether deployed from ground vehicles, fighter jets, or unmanned aerial vehicles.
