Thales has unveiled a significant upgrade to its 70mm laser-guided rocket, now designated the LGR275 Proxy, by integrating a novel LiDAR proximity sensor engineered specifically for drone interception. This development directly addresses the escalating threat posed by uncrewed aerial systems (UAS) in contemporary conflicts, offering a more precise and responsive kinetic countermeasure. Produced in Thales Belgium facilities, this enhanced rocket is positioned as a critical component in future layered air defense architectures.
This innovation underscores a broader trend in defense innovation, where rapid technological adaptation is paramount in countering evolving battlefield dynamics. The proliferation of affordable and sophisticated drones necessitates agile, cost-effective solutions capable of neutralizing these threats across diverse operational environments, driving an urgent demand for specialized counter-UAS capabilities.
HERSTAL, Belgium — Thales has officially launched its latest version of the 70 mm laser guided rocket, LGR275 Proxy, which is equipped with new LiDAR proximity sensor specifically designed to target enemy drones.
The new design was unveiled to the public during the first day of the Eurosatory exhibition in Paris, but Thales officials told Breaking Defense during a May media tour that the new sensor was developed in response to ongoing conflicts in Europe and the Middle East.
The new rocket is guided through a laser designator similar to the older version, and is produced in Thales Belgium facilities. Its new LiDAR (light detection and ranging) sensor uses laser pulses to measure the distance to the target and gets activated when in proximity of the threat.
“The use of laser designation has some limitation when it’s raining, for instance, and so we are seeing some key mature evolution of the technology, which allows also us to really accelerate this kind of implementation of new solutions,” Alain Quevrin, country director of Thales Belgium and Luxembourg, told Breaking Defense in an interview. (Like other media outlets, Breaking Defense accepted travel and accommodation from Thales for the trip.)
He said that Thales is ready to deliver to the market a “dedicated solution for this counter UAS, with some proximity fuses which is a quick answer to an urgent need,” adding, “It is something we developed quite quickly, because two years ago it was not on the table. After analyzing the weaknesses of the usage, it [development] was accelerated.”
The laser guided rocket Proxy will be part of a Thales layered air defense system, dubbed SkyDefender.
Thales Belgium is attempting to increase production capacity of its guided rockets after the conflict in the Middle East, and company officials expect to produce 20,000 units annually by 2028, a rough average of 100 guided rockets per day.
“We are accelerating and changing the numbers. If we were talking together a few months back, before what’s happening in the Middle East, in fact, the numbers were not in the same. We more than doubled the number, considering the situation at the moment in the Middle East,” Thomas Colinet, managing director at Thales Belgium, told Breaking Defense.
Editorial Analysis
The integration of LiDAR technology into the LGR275 Proxy signifies a sophisticated technical evolution for kinetic counter-UAS systems. While traditional laser guidance provides precision, the added LiDAR proximity sensor mitigates environmental limitations, such as adverse weather conditions, by providing an active ranging capability for terminal engagement. This hybrid approach enhances the rocket's probability of kill against agile drone targets, offering a more robust solution for front-line defenders and critical infrastructure protection. This rapid engineering cycle also highlights the industry's newfound agility in responding to immediate battlefield requirements, a marked change from traditionally longer defense procurement timelines.
This technological advancement reflects lessons learned from the widespread and impactful deployment of drones in recent conflicts, notably in Eastern Europe and the Middle East, which have demonstrated the urgent need for effective, scalable anti-drone measures. The acceleration of development and projected production increases suggest that defense manufacturers are responding to a significant, sustained global demand for these capabilities. The trend indicates a future where defense systems will increasingly integrate commercial technologies like LiDAR, adapted for military rigor, to create agile, multi-domain solutions for complex and unpredictable threat landscapes.
