French Fighter Expands Capabilities With New Counter-Drone Effector
A French Rafale fighter has been spotted carrying a Thales-supplied laser-guided rocket pod, marking the beginning of flight trials for a new counter-drone effector. The TELSON 12 JF rocket pod, developed by TDA Armements, holds 12 induction-activated 68 mm rockets and is designed to provide a lower-cost alternative to traditional air-to-air missiles. The integration is part of France’s efforts to counter the Shahed drone threat, with the French Air and Space Force having shot down around 60 Iranian drones over the UAE since February 2026. This development was first reported by AeroTime.