Mysterious weapon helps Ukraine tear apart Russia's Shahed UAV swarm

Amid the Shahed UAV wave, Ukraine launched FZ123 cluster munitions missiles supplied by France, considered a "cheap shield" but effective against threats from the air.

Amid the increasingly intense attacks by Russian Shahed UAVs, the Ukrainian Armed Forces have begun using FZ123 cluster munitions supplied by the French Thales Group. This is the latest effort to strengthen the low-altitude air defense network - where Ukraine still suffers many losses.

According to Western military sources, the FZ123 is a 70mm laser-guided missile carrying a high-explosive fragmentation warhead. Its special feature is its ability to create a “kill cloud” of thousands of steel balls, spreading in all directions when detonated near the target, enough to destroy the propellers and sensors of low-flying UAVs.

With a range of about 3 km, the FZ123 cannot compete with large air defense missiles such as NASAMS or IRIS-T, but it has a clear advantage in terms of cost. An FZ123 is dozens of times cheaper than a traditional interceptor missile, making it an affordable solution for anti-UAV missions.

The missile is guided by a laser beam from the operator. In case of loss of contact, it automatically switches to ballistic mode, flies to the designated point and explodes close to the target - a mechanism that helps maintain the ability to hit even when operating conditions are chaotic.

On the battlefield, Ukraine is launching the FZ123 from the L3Harris VAMPIRE system - a compact truck-mounted launcher that can carry four missiles and an electro-optical-infrared sighting system. In addition, some Mi-8 helicopters have also been modified to carry 70mm rocket launchers, creating high maneuverability when hunting UAVs.

Military sources said that integrating the FZ123 into existing platforms allows Ukraine to expand its “low-altitude air defense network” at minimal cost. In the context of limited Western air defense missiles, guided rockets such as the FZ123 are considered a valuable “load reducer”.

Observers say the FZ123 is a symbol of the “flexible air defense” trend: instead of using expensive weapons to destroy cheap targets, Ukraine takes advantage of small, cheap solutions, but deploys quickly and is accurate enough. This is also Kiev’s way of adapting to attrition warfare, where the speed of replacing weapons is as important as firepower.

Thales Group, the manufacturer of the FZ123, is now accelerating production in Belgium, with production expected to reach 3,500 this year and 10,000 by 2026. The company is also developing a lightweight ground launcher that can be deployed quickly in any terrain, from the frontline to urban areas.

Experts say the FZ123’s strength lies not only in its warhead, but also in its compatibility with NATO standards. This allows Ukraine to share rockets with many European partners, reducing training and resupply times – a significant advantage in prolonged war conditions.

The FZ123 is not without its limitations, however. The laser guidance system requires maintaining a “lock on” until it hits, which is difficult to do with high-speed UAVs or those flying on complex trajectories. As a result, the missile is primarily effective against low-altitude, slow-speed UAVs like the Shahed-136.

But overall, the FZ123 remains an important piece in Ukraine’s air defense network. When combined with anti-aircraft guns, interceptor drones and medium-range missiles, the system creates a layer of “interwoven defense” – allowing flexible responses depending on the type of target.

The appearance of the FZ123 on the battlefield not only shows Ukraine's adaptation but also shows the general trend of modern warfare: priority is given to cheap, fast-producing, easy-to-deploy weapons. In the increasingly fierce UAV war, these compact missiles can become the silent "night watchmen" protecting the skies of Ukraine.

Topwar View source link

Original post link Copy link

https://topwar.ru/272057-vsu-nachali-primenjat-kassetnye-rakety-fz123-dlja-porazhenija-dronov-geran.html

Source: https://khoahocdoisong.vn/vu-khi-bi-an-giup-ukraine-xe-toang-bay-uav-shahed-cua-nga-post2149059560.html