Ukraine could receive advanced Czech-made missiles and drones early next year that could significantly influence the course of the war, according to reports.
Czech developers have unveiled a new Narwhal cruise missile intended for transfer to Ukraine to strike targets inside Russia. The developer, LPP, is already testing the weapon, with combat validation planned as the final stage. Initial use is expected in January–February 2026, with industrial production slated to begin in March, the outlet Aktualne reports.
Experts say Narwhal is designed for a range of up to 680 km, enough to hit targets deep behind the front lines, including Moscow or the Engels strategic air base. The missile can fly up to 750 km/h and carry a 120 kg warhead. That’s more than the Iran-Russia “Shahed” (50–90 kg), making Narwhal more effective against a broader set of targets.
A key advantage is its modern guidance suite. In addition to GPS and inertial navigation, the missile features its own visual guidance system, allowing it to operate even without satellite connectivity and under intense Russian electronic warfare.
The missile is about 4 meters long, 2.6 meters wide, and weighs 260 kg. It can be launched by catapult, from a runway or even a road, and with the help of a solid-fuel booster.
Analysts compare Narwhal with another Czech design, the Barracuda 500M. Although the Barracuda is cheaper (about $216,000), it lags on most metrics: shorter range, less capable guidance, and a warhead that’s roughly half as heavy (45–85 kg).
LPP co-owner Radim Petras says Narwhal was conceived as part of an integrated unmanned ecosystem. Under that concept, a typical strike package could look like this: first, 10–20 small drones weighing 40 kg take off, followed by two Narwhal missiles, with a pair of stealth drones above them to help the group approach the target undetected.
There are two drone models in focus. The first, MTS, weighs up to 40 kg, has a range of up to 650 km, a top speed of 230 km/h, and can carry up to 12 kg. The second, Nightray Stealth, is a low‑observable UAV with a range of up to 400 km, a speed of up to 500 km/h, and a 30 kg payload. Both use the same navigation system as Narwhal.
