Forges De Zeebrugge

What Forges De Zeebrugge does

Forges De Zeebrugge, operating as Thales Belgium SA since 2017, is a Herstal, Belgium-based defense manufacturer and 100% subsidiary of Thales Group, specializing in complete 70mm (2.75") air-to-ground rocket systems. Founded in 1932 as a steelworks ammunition division and relocated to Herstal after World War II, the company acquired a US Navy license for 70mm rocket production in 1958 and has since become the only entity worldwide offering the full rocket system from a single source — warheads, rocket motors, rocket launchers, and fire control computers. Core technology spans propulsion, pyrotechnics, mechanics, electronics, composite materials, ballistics, guidance (Semi-Active Laser), and simulation, with more than 8 million rockets delivered to 55 countries and 70 armed forces over 55+ years. The product portfolio includes the FZ275 LGR laser-guided rocket (CEP <1m at 6km), the FZ90 rocket motor, lightweight composite launchers (FZ225, FZ233, FZ231) that are approximately 50% lighter than metallic equivalents, and weapon management systems (WMU, GRMU, BHIR) with multi-protocol avionics interfaces.

The company operates two production sites — Herstal (HQ and non-pyrotechnic assembly) and Soumagne/Fort Evegnée (pyrotechnic manufacturing with 49-tonne explosive storage capacity and full environmental/ballistic testing facilities) — supported by approximately 75 FZ-specific employees and more than 230 collaborators across all Thales Belgium sites. All products are ITAR-free, enabling export flexibility, and the company holds ISO 9001:2015 (incorporating NATO AQAP 110) and CERTIDER certifications. The business model is exclusively B2B defense: direct long-term procurement contracts with government defense ministries and armed forces, supplemented by OEM integration partnerships with Airbus Helicopters, Leonardo, HAL, MD Helicopters, Denel, BAE Systems, Boeing, and others across 20+ qualified platforms. Revenue is generated through hardware sales (rockets, launchers, fire control computers) and professional services (integration support, training, certification, ILS), with standard payment terms of 30% advance / 70% on Factory Acceptance Certificate under multi-year contracts.

Name

Forges De Zeebrugge

Legal name

Thales Belgium SA

Website

https://fz.be

Company type

Private

Founded year

1932

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Forges De Zeebrugge (Thales Belgium SA) is the world's only vertically integrated manufacturer of complete 70mm air-to-ground rocket systems, delivering warheads, rocket motors, launchers, and fire control computers to 55 countries and 70 armed forces.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Defense Rocket Systems

NAICS

Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Manufacturing (336414), Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Propulsion Unit and Propulsion Unit Parts Manufacturing (336415), Other Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing (336419)

SIC

Guided Missiles & Space Vehicles & Parts (3760), Search, Detection, Navagation, Guidance, Aeronautical Sys (3812)

akta.pro primary industry

Tactical & Strategic Missile Systems (IMABAHAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Rocket Motors, Propellants & Warhead Integration (IMABAHAC), Explosives, Energetics & Pyrotechnics (Military-Grade) (IMABAHAK)

Keywords

• Air-to-ground rockets
• 70mm rocket systems
• Defense ammunition
• Guided rocket systems
• Weapon management systems

Headquarters

HQ city

Herstal

HQ country

Belgium

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Defense Hardware — Rockets, Warheads, and Rocket Motors: Thales Belgium manufactures and sells 70mm rocket system components including warheads (FZ71, FZ319, FZ181, FZ120, FZ336, FZ149, FZ122), rocket motors (FZ68/FZ67, FZ90, FZ276), and complete rocket systems. Production exceeds 8 million rockets delivered. Revenue is generated through long-term defense procurement contracts with government customers.
2. Rocket Launchers: Manufacture and sale of rocket launchers (FZ602, FZ606, FZ220, FZ233, FZ231, FZ225, FZ207, FZ800, FZ819, LAU32, LAU51, M159) for helicopters, fixed-wing aircraft, and ground vehicles. Both composite lightweight and aluminum metallic variants are sold.
3. Professional Services — Integration, Training, and Technical Support: High-tech engineering services including system integration support, military airworthiness certification, training (on-site and in-house), technical support, maintenance procedures, and Integrated Logistics Support (ILS). Services are provided to defense ministries and end users globally.
4. Weapon Management Systems: Sale of fire control computers (WMU, GRMU, BHIR, ACP, RCP-96) that integrate weapons and ammunition onto military platforms. These are sold as standalone units or as part of integrated rocket system packages.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Forges De Zeebrugge (operating as Thales Belgium SA) designs, manufactures, and integrates complete 70mm (2.75") air-to-ground rocket systems for military helicopters, fixed-wing aircraft, and ground vehicles. The product range covers warheads, rocket motors, rocket launchers (including smart digital variants), the FZ275 LGR laser-guided rocket, and Weapon Management Systems (WMU, GRMU, BHIR), along with integration, training, and lifecycle support services.

Product overview

Forges De Zeebrugge (Thales Belgium) is a world leader in 70mm (2.75") air-to-ground rocket systems, offering a complete integrated system comprising warheads (FZ71 fragmentation, FZ319 HEAP, FZ149 MULTIDART, FZ122 Flechette, FZ181 training, FZ120 inert, FZ336 smoke), rocket motors (FZ68/FZ67, FZ90, FZ276 for guided variant), rocket launchers (2 to 19 tubes in composite and aluminum, including smart digital variants FZ606/FZ800), the FZ275 LGR laser-guided rocket, and fire control computers (WMU, GRMU, BHIR). The company provides complete system integration, training, technical support, and ILS services. As a 100% subsidiary of Thales Group, all products are ITAR-free with full intellectual property rights.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• 70mm (2.75") Air-to-Ground Rocket System Complete integrated 70mm air-to-ground rocket system combining warheads, rocket motors, rocket launchers, fire control computers, and integration services. Sold to defense ministries and armed forces worldwide as a single-source rocket system solution.
• FZ275 LGR Laser Guided Rocket Semi-Active Laser (SAL) guided 70mm precision rocket with CEP <1m at 6km range, 1,500m to 7,000m engagement range, LOBL and LOAL modes, and 4 folding control surfaces. Bridges the cost gap between unguided rockets and guided missiles.
• 70mm Warhead Portfolio Family of 70mm warheads including FZ71 HEGP fragmentation, FZ319 HEAP armor-piercing, FZ149 MULTIDART, FZ122 Flechette, FZ181 training, FZ120 inert, and FZ336 smoke variants for diverse target engagement.
• 70mm Rocket Motor Portfolio Rocket motors including FZ68/FZ67 FFAR motors (557daN.s impulse, ~7,700m range), FZ90 wrap-around motor (680daN.s, ~9,100m range), and FZ276 motor designed for the FZ275 LGR guided rocket.
• Rocket Launcher Family Range of 2-tube to 19-tube rocket launchers in composite (FZ225, FZ233, FZ231) and aluminum (LAU51, LAU32, M159) variants for helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft, plus smart digital launchers FZ606, FZ800, FZ819, and FZ602 with LOBL capability and bidirectional communication.
• Weapon Management Systems Fire control computer family including WMU (manages up to 7 weapons), GRMU (up to 4), BHIR (up to 4 launchers, 7/12/19-tube), ACP armament control panel, and RCP-96. Interfaces with helicopter mission computers via ARINC 429, MIL-STD-1553, and RS-422.
• Integration, Training, and Support Services High-tech engineering services including system integration support, military airworthiness certification, on-site and in-house training, technical support, maintenance procedures, and Integrated Logistics Support (ILS) for defense ministries and end users globally.

Quantifiable outcome

• CEP <1m at 6km range with FZ275 LGR laser-guided rocket
• +7 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration7 records

AI capability5 records

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• Rheinmetall CanadacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 7 April 2022Rheinmetall Canada integrates Thales Belgium's FZ220 7-tube rocket launchers and FZ275 LGR laser-guided rockets onto its Mission Master autonomous unmanned ground vehicle (A-UGV). Joint live-fire demonstrations have been conducted in Sweden for six European allied nations (Belgium, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Netherlands, Poland). In 2020, a cooperation agreement was signed for marketing unguided and guided rockets on the German market. The Mission Master SP Fire Support variant achieved qualification for the Fieldranger Multi weapon station with Thales 70mm rocket launchers.
• Thales GroupflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerThales Belgium SA is a 100% subsidiary of Thales Group (French multinational). The company operates within Thales's Vehicle and Tactical Systems (VTS) business unit. It benefits from Thales Group's global distribution network, international presence, R&D capabilities, and shared corporate functions. In 1988, FZ joined the Thales Group within TDA to create the European pole of air-to-ground rockets in Herstal.
• John Cockerill DefensecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJohn Cockerill Defense and Thales Belgium combined their capabilities and product portfolios for initial firing tests of a mixed cannon and 70mm rocket system integrated into the Cockerill 3030 modular turret. The turret combines 25mm to 105mm cannons with LAU32 7-tube rocket launchers. First successful ground-to-ground firing took place at the Pampa test range in Helchteren, Belgium in October 2020.
• Arnold DefensecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerArnold Defense, a US manufacturer of 70mm rocket launchers, partnered with Thales Belgium to certify the FZ275 LGR laser-guided rocket for launch from the LAND-LGR4 'FLETCHER' ground-based rocket launcher. Certification was achieved following tests in Sweden. The LAND-LGR4 is a tripod-mounted 4-tube rocket launcher for ground forces.
• FN HerstalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFN Herstal and Thales Belgium collaborated on a joint project demonstrating a remote weapon station (RWS) rocket capability using FN's deFNder RWS integrated with Thales's FZ602 2-tube rocket launcher. The demonstration took place at the International Armored Vehicles (IAV) Conference in January 2022, showcasing a ground-to-ground rocket solution for armies.
• Airbus HelicopterscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAirbus Helicopters integrates Thales Belgium's 70mm rocket systems across its military helicopter portfolio including H125M, H135M, H145M, H215M, H225M, and Tiger variants. In November 2017, Airbus Helicopters completed first firing campaign with HForce on H145M using the FZ231 rocket launcher. Airbus also selected the FZ275 LGR for integration on H145M with HForce.
• Leonardo Helicopters (formerly AgustaWestland)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLeonardo Helicopters integrates Thales Belgium's FZ231 12-tube rocket launchers onto A109 variants (LUH, LOH) and FZ225 19-tube launchers onto the AW101 (EH-101) helicopter. Leonardo's A109 and AW101 are certified for operation with FZ rocket systems.
• HAL — Hindustan Aeronautics LimitedcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHAL selected Thales Belgium's 70mm rocket system for its Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH/Dhruv) and Light Combat Helicopter (LCH). The first integration contract was signed in 2006. HAL's ALH Mk. IV and LCH are equipped with up to 4x FZ231 rocket launchers, BHIR fire control computer, and T100 sighting system. Military airworthiness certification (CEMILAC) completed in 2002 for ALH. LCH certified combat-ready January 2019.
• MD HelicopterscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMD Helicopters integrates Thales Belgium's FZ220 7-tube rocket launcher onto the MD530G light scout attack helicopter. Certification was achieved in March 2018. The MD530G is equipped with up to 2x FZ233 rocket launchers with FZ90 rocket motors.
• Denel AviationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDenel Aviation selected Thales Belgium's 70mm rocket system for integration onto the AH-2 Rooivalk attack helicopter. The system includes FZ90 rocket motors, various warheads, and M159 rocket launchers. Integration was successfully completed in 1997. Rooivalk equipped with Thales rocket systems has been battle-proven in MONUSCO peacekeeping operations in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
• Rheinmetall Waffe MunitioncoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorIn early 2020, Rheinmetall Waffe Munition and Thales Belgium signed a cooperation agreement for marketing unguided and guided rockets on the German market. Rheinmetall serves as a channel partner/distributor for Thales Belgium's rocket products in Germany.
• Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV)minorOthersFMV provided test facilities at the Älvdalen firing range in Sweden for multiple firing campaigns of the FZ275 LGR laser-guided rocket from various platforms including H145M and the Mission Master UGV.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Saab: Swedish defense prime integrating rocket pods onto Gripen and other platforms. Comparable as a regional defense prime with adjacent weapons integration capabilities and ITAR-free positioning similar to FZ.
• BAE Systems: UK-based defense prime and platform OEM (Hawk, Typhoon integration partner). Comparable as a broad incumbent and customer/partner across multiple FZ-integrated platforms.
• Aerojet Rocketdyne (now part of L3Harris): US rocket motor and propulsion manufacturer (FZ90 derived from Mk66 technology). Comparable in rocket motors and propulsion technology underpinning 70mm rocket systems.
• Lockheed Martin: US defense prime producing precision-guided rockets (e.g., APKWS) and integrating onto F-16 and other platforms FZ serves. Comparable in guided-rocket category but as a much larger, US-domestic incumbent subject to ITAR.
• Rheinmetall: German defense conglomerate and channel partner integrating FZ rockets onto Mission Master UGV. Comparable as a broad defense incumbent with overlapping munitions, vehicle, and air-defense portfolios; partner rather than head-to-head rocket competitor.
• General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems: US manufacturer of tactical munitions including Hydra rocket family and precision-guided rockets. Comparable as a broad incumbent in 70mm/rocket category with much larger scale and US-aligned supply chain.

Emerging players

• Elbit Systems: Israeli defense electronics and munitions company producing precision rockets and weapon management systems. Comparable in precision air-to-ground rockets and helicopter weapons integration.
• FN Herstal: Belgian small-caliber weapons and remote weapon station manufacturer that partnered with FZ on the deFNder RWS rocket integration. Comparable as an adjacent defense manufacturer in Belgium with overlapping customer base.

Direct peers

• Nammo: Norwegian-Finnish ammunition and rocket motor manufacturer producing 70mm motors and rocket systems. Closely comparable in rocket motor and warhead manufacturing for NATO air-to-ground applications.
• Arnold Defense: US-based manufacturer of 70mm rocket launchers, including the LAND-LGR4 'FLETCHER' ground launcher certified for the FZ275 LGR. Directly comparable in 70mm launcher category with both firms addressing the same customer base.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/ForgesDeZeebrugge
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/forges-de-zeebrugge

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Forges De Zeebrugge