French fighter jet fires USD 2 million missile to down UAV 'flying from Russia'

Newly released video shows a French Rafale fighter jet firing a missile, destroying a UAV that entered Latvian airspace.

The Latvian military announced that a drone (UAV) on the morning of 8/6 flew from Russian airspace into the country, attributing it to "Russian electronic warfare measures". A squadron of French Rafale fighter jets, stationed at Siaulia airbase, was deployed to monitor and identify the UAV after it entered Latvian airspace.

Latvian Defense Minister Raivis Melnis stated that NATO command subsequently ordered the attack. The UAV was shot down at 10:05 at Berzgale village, approximately 30 km from the border. A video recorded by local residents and later posted by Marko Mihkelson, Chairman of the Estonian Parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee, shows a Rafale fighter jet firing an air-to-air missile. The missile created a smoke trail in the sky and exploded after a few seconds, seemingly hitting the target.

Moment a French fighter jet shot down a UAV over Latvian airspace on 8/6. Video: X/markomihkelson

The French military confirmed on the same day that a Rafale fighter jet had shot down the UAV in an open area in Latvia, highlighting Paris' commitment to supporting security on Europe's eastern flank. Russian and Ukrainian officials have not yet commented on the incident, and it is not yet clear whether the UAV belonged to the Russian or Ukrainian military.

French Rafale fighter jet patrolling with MICA missiles in an image posted on 8/6. Photo: French Military

This marks the first time imagery of an interception has been recorded, though it is not the first instance of NATO fighter jets downing UAVs in the Baltic region. Thomas Newdick, editor of the US military specialized website War Zone, noted that while the mission was successful, "such an interception might not be cost-effective due to the disparity in cost between air-to-air missiles and UAVs".

Rafale fighter jets typically carry MICA air-to-air missiles when patrolling Baltic airspace. This weapon has a maximum range of 60-80 km, depending on launch conditions, and uses active radar or infrared seekers. Each MICA missile costs approximately USD 2,3 million. In contrast, UAVs that have previously strayed into the Baltic region are considerably cheaper: Russia's Geran-2 suicide UAVs are estimated to cost USD 35,000-50,000 each, while Gerbera decoy aircraft have a production cost of about USD 10,000.