--- title: "This May Be Our Best Look At Ukraine’s Secretive New Surface-To-Air Missile" description: "The Koral surface-to-air missile apparently made its public debut as part of a recent lineup of homegrown weapon systems. The Koral surface-to-air missile apparently made its public debut as part of a recent lineup of homegrown weapon systems." date: "2026-04-13" modified: "2026-04-13" authors: - name: "Thomas Newdick" job_title: "Staff Writer" link: "https://www.twz.com/authors/thomas-newdick" url: "https://www.twz.com/land/this-may-be-our-best-look-at-ukraines-secretive-new-surface-to-air-missile" categories: - "Air" - "Air Forces" - "Armies" - "Land" - "Surface-To-Air Missile Systems" - "Ukrainian Air Force" - "Ukrainian Army" --- # This May Be Our Best Look At Ukraine’s Secretive New Surface-To-Air Missile ![A new Ukrainian surface-to-air missile appears to have made its first public appearance. The weapon is apparently an example of the Koral (also sometimes spelled Coral), the development of which has been known about for some time, as part of an effort to field homegrown ground-based air defense systems, something that the head of Ukraine’s Brave1 defense tech incubator discussed with TWZ in the past.]() *Ukrainian Ministry of Defense/screencap* A new Ukrainian surface-to-air missile appears to have made its first public appearance. The weapon has been widely identified as an apparent example of the Koral (also sometimes spelled Coral). The development of the missile has been known about for some time, as part of a broader effort to field homegrown ground-based air defense systems, something that the head of Ukraine’s [Brave1 defense tech incubator]() has discussed with *TWZ* [in the past](). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Br_kdXR-sk While not specifically identified, the missile in question was included as part of an exhibition of Ukrainian-developed missiles, drones, missile-drone hybrids, and other uncrewed platforms, which were presented recently by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. https://twitter.com/ZelenskyyUa/status/2043734795767660586?s=20 Other weapons that were shown in the exhibition, which was staged to mark the [holiday of the country’s defense industry workforce](), included the [Neptune]() ground-launched cruise missile, the [Areion]() missile-drone that was developed from the existing [Palianytsia](), and the [Vilkha]() guided artillery rocket. https://twitter.com/stoa1984/status/2043746965125484664?s=20 While we cannot completely rule out that the new missile is something different, it certainly has some of the hallmarks of previous artist’s concepts and mockups of the Koral that we have seen in the past. We also cannot rule out the possibility that some features are added for counter-intelligence purposes. Based on the external appearance of the missile, it looks to be a test round, or even a production weapon, rather than a mockup, but again, we cannot be entirely certain of this, either. ![]() *The apparent Koral missile is seen on the far left in this line-up of missiles, rockets, and drones. *Ukrainian Ministry of Defense/screencap** What we do know is that Ukraine has an active domestic air defense missile development program. As long ago as 2021, before Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the Ukrainian Luch design bureau presented the Koral missile, intended to arm medium-range air defense systems. ![KYIV, UKRAINE - JUNE 15, 2021 - Coral Extended Range Surface to Air Missile for ship and ground is presented during the Weapons and Security-2021 XVII International Specialized Exhibition at the International Exhibition Centre, Kyiv, capital of Ukraine (Photo credit should read Pavlo Bahmut/ Ukrinform/Future Publishing via Getty Images)]() *A model of the Koral missile was presented during the Weapons and Security-2021 XVII International Specialized Exhibition in Kyiv in 2021. *Pavlo Bahmut/ Ukrinform/Future Publishing via Getty Images* Pavlo\_Bagmut* Luch initially stated that the Koral would have a range of 30 to 50 kilometers (18 to 31 miles). By 2023, [this had apparently been revised]() to 100 kilometers (62 miles), which would push it into the long-range class, albeit at the lower end of it. Other specifications previously mentioned by Luch include a weight of 300 kilograms (661 pounds) with a 25-kilogram (55-pound) warhead, and a speed of 3,600 kilometers per hour (2,237 miles per hour). ![]() *Earlier concept art showing the Koral missile. *Luch** “Koral should work against ballistic \[missile\] targets. Of course, not all classes, but it must work on ballistic targets,” Oleh Korostelev, the head of the Luch design bureau, said at the time. Korostelev added that the missile would be equipped with an Onyx active radar-homing seeker from the Ukrainian company Radionix. He also said that development of the new missile was “70 percent complete.” In late 2023, the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense identified air defense, including the continued development of the Koral surface-to-air missile, as one of its main priorities for 2024. At that point, then-Deputy Defense Minister Ivan Havryliuk outlined the requirement for mobile surface-to-air missile systems with a range of more than a hundred kilometers. This was assumed to include the Koral. ![]() *Another angle of what could be Ukraine's Koral SAM.* Last month, [it was reported]() that Ukraine had signed an agreement to cooperate with Spain on air defense capabilities, including missiles. Intriguingly, both Luch and Radionix were said to be involved in this effort, which teamed them with Spain’s Sener Group, which makes components for [IRIS-T]() missiles. As well as being air-launched, the IRIS-T is used in short-range air defense systems and has also been [supplied to Ukraine]() for use in that mode. https://twitter.com/DefenceU/status/1580995110443003904?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1580995110443003904%7Ctwgr%5E7b2fe3e3892201e85a2df8119d95e2f385289245%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.twz.com%2Ffirst-wreckage-of-ukraines-new-iris-t-slm-surface-to-air-missile-found Other details about the Koral missile remain a closely guarded secret. It is said to make extensive use of various pre-existing subsystems, some of which are already proven, likely including the motor, inertial navigation system, and the radio and/or laser proximity fuze. It is expected that the Koral will use a gas-dynamic control system, with conventional control surfaces allied with thrust-vectoring vanes in the exhaust nozzle, to ensure ‘endgame’ maneuverability. This is necessary for intercepting highly agile targets and those at extreme altitudes. However, while the original Koral mockup had [Patriot PAC-3-style thrusters]() mounted at the forward end of the body to achieve extreme precision during the terminal phase of interception, these have disappeared from the latest version, which also features revised guidance fins with greater surface area. ![]() *The apparent Koral missile (left) next to an artillery rocket. *Ukrainian Ministry of Defense/screencap** Even before the full-scale invasion, Ukraine had a need for a missile in this class. For medium- and long-range surface-to-air missiles, Ukraine relied primarily on the Soviet-era S-300P (SA-10 Grumble), smaller numbers of the S-300V1 (SA-12 Gladiator/Giant) with an anti-ballistic missile capability, and the Buk-M1 (SA-11 Gadfly) mobile medium-range system. Of these, only a handful of surplus S-300Ps have been donated to Kyiv since the full-scale invasion. You can read about all these Soviet-era missiles [here](). https://twitter.com/Osinttechnical/status/1888567389781987347?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1888567389781987347%7Ctwgr%5E54dfb495e54a562f30d8830f0409b96991270cc7%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.twz.com%2Fland%2Fukraines-patriots-now-struggling-with-enhanced-russian-ballistic-missiles Ukraine has also received more capable Western surface-to-air missiles in this class, most prominently the U.S.-made [Patriot](), as well as the Franco-Italian [SAMP/T](). However, these are once again available only in limited numbers, and their respective effectors are notably expensive. At one time, the Koral was also proposed as the main air defense weapon for the Ukrainian Navy’s two future *Ada* class corvettes being built in Turkey. However, the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense chose [an MBDA alternative](), and the future of those vessels remains questionable. Regardless, Ukraine has an even greater demand for *ground-based* air defense systems than it did in the first weeks of the full-scale invasion, when we first [looked at this issue in depth](). Since then, Russia has only stepped up its barrages of missile and drone attacks on Ukrainian cities and critical infrastructure, putting an enormous burden on the available ground-based air defenses. To help make up the shortfall, Ukraine, with U.S. support, embarked on the [‘FrankenSAM’]() program, in which it [leveraged existing capabilities]() within the Ukrainian Armed Forces arsenal to help rapidly provide badly needed additional air defenses. ![]() *A photo of the Buk/Sea Sparrow FrankenSAM and one of its crew. *Operational Command East** There is, meanwhile, [a growing list of ground-based air defense systems]() that fire repurposed Soviet-era [heat-seeking R-73 air-to-air missiles]() as interceptors. Other efforts have combined the R-73 with Western-developed launchers and sensors, like the [containerized Gravehawk system, which]() the United Kingdom and Denmark developed for Ukraine. Ukraine has [also fielded modified 9K33 Osa]() (SA-8 Gecko) wheeled air defense vehicles armed with R-73 missiles instead of their usual 9M33 interceptors. This is notable for being a domestic initiative combining a Soviet-era surface-to-air missile vehicle with Soviet-era air-to-air missiles. The Ukrainian military has also introduced [R-73-armed uncrewed surface vessels]() (USVs), an application known locally as the Sea Dragon. The Koral missile differs, however, in that it should provide a much greater range than most of the currently fielded FrankenSAMs, as well as an anti-ballistic missile capability. If all goes to plan, this will provide a replacement for longer-ranged Soviet-era systems, as well as a supplement to the costly Patriot and SAMP/T, the reliable supply of which cannot be guaranteed, certainly not in the numbers Ukraine requires. ![11 June 2024, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, ---: German and Ukrainian soldiers stand in front of "Patriot" anti-aircraft missile systems during the visit of Ukrainian President Zelenskyi to a military training area. The international reconstruction conference for Ukraine takes place on June 11 and 12. Photo: Jens Büttner/dpa (Photo by Jens Büttner/picture alliance via Getty Images)]() *German and Ukrainian soldiers stand in front of Patriot air defense systems during the visit of Ukrainian President Zelensky to a military training area in Germany. *Photo by Jens Büttner/picture alliance via Getty Images* picture alliance* For now, the Koral program remains very much shrouded in secrecy. We don’t yet know if the missile has been tested, let alone whether it’s in series production. We also have no idea about what kind of launchers it will be compatible with. Based on the FrankenSAM concept, it is conceivable that it might find its way onto existing S-300 series or even Patriot launchers. ![Mobile missile launch systems drive during a military parade marking Ukraine's Independence Day in Kyiv, Ukraine August 24, 2018. (Photo by Maxym Marusenko/NurPhoto via Getty Images)]() *S-300P transporter-erector-launchers during a military parade marking Ukrainian Independence Day in Kyiv, August 24, 2018. *Photo by Maxym Marusenko/NurPhoto via Getty Images* NurPhoto* Speaking in 2025, [Andriy Hyrtseniuk](), the head of Ukraine’s Brave1 defense tech incubator, [told *TWZ*]() that “multiple” homegrown missiles of different classes had already been tested on firing ranges and “in some cases on the battlefield.” At the very least, the apparent inclusion of the Koral in the recent public exhibition underscores the fact that Ukraine is still badly in need of additional air defenses. The recent conflict in the Middle East makes it even harder for Kyiv’s Western allies to keep up the already modest deliveries of more capable air defense systems. Clearly, Ukraine needs a surface-to-air missile in the class of the Koral, and one that’s available in sufficient numbers to help offset the challenge of repeated Russian attacks. *Contact the author: thomas@thewarzone.com* ## Author Thomas Newdick is a staff writer at *TWZ*, where he covers military aviation, defense technology, weapons systems, and international security. Based in Berlin, Germany, he reports on conflicts, military modernization efforts, and emerging aerospace technologies around the world, with a particular interest in airpower and its role in contemporary warfare. His reporting is informed by deep expertise in modern and historical airpower, particularly in Europe, with a focus on military aviation, air campaigns, and aerospace developments across the continent and beyond. Over a journalism career spanning more than 25 years, Thomas has become known for making complex defense and aerospace topics accessible to a broad audience. His reporting combines technical expertise, historical context, and a focus on the real-world operational and strategic implications of military developments. ### Author social links [Twitter]()