Czechia unveils Narwhal missile: Ukraine will be the first to test it in combat
Illustrative photo: Ukraine will be the first to test the new Czech missile (GettyImages)
The Czech company LPP has developed a new long-range cruise missile called Narwhal, which is already undergoing testing. In the future, it is planned to be transferred to Ukraine, according to Aktualne.
According to the outlet, the final stage of testing will take place in Ukraine — the weapon will be delivered for trials in real combat conditions against the Russian army. Its first combat use is preliminarily scheduled for January–February 2026, and serial production in Czechia could begin as early as March.
Meanwhile, analysts from Defense Express estimate that Narwhal can strike targets at distances of up to 680 km — enough to reach Moscow or the Engels strategic bomber airbase. The missile has a speed of up to 750 km/h and is equipped with a 120-kilogram warhead, significantly more powerful than Shahed drones (50–90 kg).
In addition to GPS and an inertial system, Narwhal features visual navigation, allowing it to operate even under heavy Russian EW interference. The missile is 4 meters long, has a 2.6 m wingspan, and weighs 260 kg. It can be launched from a catapult, a runway, a road, or with a solid-fuel booster.
Analysts note that in several parameters, Narwhal surpasses the American long-range Barracuda 500M missiles — particularly in navigation, partially in range, and in warhead power (45–85 kg for Barracuda). However, the American missile has an advantage in cost — about $216,500, while the price of Narwhal has not yet been disclosed and is likely to be higher.
Military aid to Ukraine from the Czechia
Since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion, Czechia has transferred significant quantities of weapons and equipment to Ukraine, including tanks, armored vehicles, artillery, and aviation equipment.
Recently, a new fundraising campaign for interceptor drones for Ukraine was launched in the country. The initiative was organized by activists from the Skupina D group, which has already delivered thousands of drones to Ukrainian defenders since 2022.
In October, Czechs raised about $595,000 in just two days to purchase a Flamingo missile for the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
Czechia has also become a key coordinator of a large-scale program for supplying artillery shells in cooperation with European partners.
