Ukraine Unveils 1,400 km Range Mobidik Drone with Missile Option, Pushes for Local Storm Shadow Production

Ukrainian defense company Avarid has introduced the Mobidik, a naval drone available in six configurations, at the DIH Naval Forge 2026 exhibition. One version of the drone is armed with missiles, allowing it to strike targets across the entire Black Sea. The Mobidik has a range of 1,400 kilometers, enabling long-range operations without immediate support [186331].

At the same time, Ukraine is asking for permission to manufacture its own Storm Shadow missiles—a weapon it has already used to strike targets deep inside Russia. "Since Ukraine freed itself from the Soviet Union, it has lacked this type of weapon system," said military expert Roger Djupsjö. The long-range cruise missile has been a key tool for Ukraine’s military operations. Producing it locally would reduce reliance on foreign supplies and strengthen the country’s defense capabilities [187233].

In a separate but related development, Ukraine has begun serial production of a new surface-to-air missile system built on the chassis of a Soviet-era Strela-10 vehicle. The system, referred to as RYF, uses a laser-guided missile and is already operational, protecting Ukrainian airspace. Ukrainian engineers developed the system to address urgent air-defense needs. The laser-guided missile allows the system to engage targets more reliably, even in conditions where heat-seeking missiles may struggle [186323].

Ukraine is also collaborating with international partners. Tokyo is using Ukraine's battlefield experience in the war against Russia to speed up its own drone programs. The two countries will jointly develop and produce military drones, according to the South China Morning Post [186317].