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Pocket-Sized Missile Aims to Blunt Russian Drone Attacks in Europe
10 Nov
Summary
- Baguette-sized missile developed to counter Russian drone barrages
- Designed for mass production and affordability, costing around $50,000 per unit
- Guided by AI to reduce vulnerability to jamming and need for skilled pilots
As of November 10th, 2025, a baguette-sized missile is emerging as Europe's answer to Vladimir Putin's brutal drone barrages. Developed by Frankenburg Technologies, the miniature weapon, known as the Mark 1, is designed to be the front line of defense against Russian long-range drones.
Measuring just 65cm from nose to tail, the Mark 1 is smaller than the average human arm, yet it packs a punch. Frankenburg's CEO, Kusti Salm, a former chief civil servant in Estonia's defense ministry, is unapologetic about the company's weapon manufacturing, stating that this capability will be "the most-needed" in the Western world in the next 5-10 years.
The key selling point of the Mark 1 is its affordability and scalability. Factories in two NATO countries aim to produce hundreds of missiles per day, as Frankenburg believes mass production is the way forward. While the accuracy is currently around 56%, the company hopes to push it to 90% as production and refinement continue.
Compared to the high-cost missiles typically used to shoot down drones, the Mark 1 is priced at roughly a tenth of the existing options, with an estimated cost of $50,000 per unit. This is a significant advantage, as NATO jets have previously fired missiles worth around £500,000 each to take down Shahed drones that cost less than a tenth of that, often missing in roughly half the attempts.
The Mark 1's AI guidance system is central to its sales pitch, as it reduces vulnerability to jamming and the need for skilled pilots. This is crucial, as the West lacks the thousands of trained interceptor-drone crews that Ukraine has relied on to protect critical sites around the clock.
While the Mark 1 has its limitations, such as struggling in extreme weather conditions, proponents argue that for protecting airports, power plants, and other critical infrastructure, the cost-benefit analysis is compelling. If a $50,000 missile can reliably stop a drone that could cause millions in damage, it becomes a plausible defense against Russia's aerial threats.
