A Pocket-Sized Powerhouse for European Skies
A revolutionary, compact rocket small enough for a single person to carry is being heralded as a potential game-changer for Europe's defensive capabilities. The weapon, known as the 'Mark 1', is manufactured by the Estonian firm Frankenburg Technology and measures a mere 65 centimetres—just over two feet—in length.
This tiny munition has been purpose-built to hunt a very specific and modern threat: the Russian drones that have been increasingly encroaching on European airspace. With deliveries scheduled to begin across the continent early next year, the Mark 1 is designed specifically to counter the types of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) that Vladimir Putin has deployed extensively in Ukraine.
How the Mark 1 Works
Frankenburg Technology has engineered the missile to utilise solid rocket propellant and autonomous guidance systems. This allows it to precisely hone in on low-flying, slow-moving drones like the Iranian-made Shahed-131 and Shahed-136 models, which Russia has used to great effect.
The weapon's operational parameters are key to its effectiveness. It is deployed within a range of approximately two kilometres and is designed to detonate its warhead between one and two metres away from its target, ensuring a high probability of a successful intercept.
The Urgent Need for Affordable Defence
European nations have recently faced a surge in Russian territorial incursions, with drones and munitions crossing from Ukraine into NATO member states like Romania and Poland. The current method of repelling these threats often involves scrambling expensive fighter jets, a costly measure compared to Russia's use of relatively cheap drones.
The urgency was underscored by a recent incident on November 6, when drone sightings near Brussels airport forced a complete shutdown of the site. In the wake of this event, the UK's Chief of the Defence Staff, Sir Richard Knighton, confirmed that his Belgian counterpart had requested military assistance, to which the UK agreed.
A Manufacturer with a Clear Mission
Kusti Salm, the chief executive of Frankenburg Technology, is unapologetic about his company's mission. He stated plainly that the Mark 1 is manufactured to 'take down Russian long-range drones' operating hundreds of kilometres inside the battlefield.
Salm confidently told the Daily Telegraph that he believes this will become the 'most-needed capability in the Western world' for the next five to ten years. His comments reflect a growing consensus that hybrid threats require innovative and cost-effective solutions.
Sir Richard Knighton echoed the importance of unity, emphasising that as hybrid threats evolve, Europe's strength lies in its alliances and collective resolve to defend critical infrastructure and airspace. The Mark 1 rocket represents a tangible step towards that collective defence, offering a specialised tool for a very modern problem.
