The Center of Innovative Technologies Program publicly unveiled Ukraine’s Dragon short-range air defense system at the Eurosatory 2026 exhibition in Paris, following approximately 18 months of active combat deployment. Developed to expand low-altitude interception capacity, the modular architecture converts existing national and partner inventories of aircraft missiles into ground-launched interceptors. This deployment framework allows Ukrainian forces to sustain a high-volume, cost-effective defense layer specifically optimized to neutralize Shahed-type one-way attack drones and low-altitude threats without depleting scarce, heavy surface-to-air missile stockpiles. Read full defense news at this link...
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| The Dragon currently integrates modernized R-60 missiles with a 6.5 km range, AIM-9M Sidewinders with 8 to 10 km, and R-73 missiles reaching up to 15 km, with development underway for the ST-100 interceptor with a 10 km range. (Picture source: Army Recognition) |