The Czech Republic has introduced its New Long‑Range Narwhal Cruise Missile, a System expected to be Transferred to Ukraine for Combat Evaluation against Russian Forces, and One that by Preliminary Assessments, Outperforms the Barracuda 500 in several Key Categories. Developed by the Czech Company LPP, the Narwhal is currently undergoing Testing, with the Final Phase, anticipated to take Place in Ukraine.
The First Combat use is Planned for January–February 2026, while Serial Production in the Czech Republic could begin as Early as March 2026.
Additional Technical Details Highlight the Missile’s considerable Range is up to 680 km, Placing targets such as Moscow and the Engels Strategic Bomber Base within reach. The Missile reaches Speeds Up to 750 km/h and Carries a 120‑kg Warhead, a Payload Significantly Heavier than that of Shahed‑Type Drones, which Hold only 50–90 kg depending on the Variant.
A Critical Feature is its Robust Navigation Suite. Alongside GPS and what is presumed to be an Inertial Navigation system, Narwhal incorporates an Indigenous Visual Navigation System developed by LPP, Designed to remain Effective even in GPS‑Denied Environments caused by strong Russian Electronic Warfare.
Narwhal is 4 metres long, with a 2.6‑metre Wingspan and a Launch Mass of 260 kg. It can be Launched via Catapult, from a Runway or Road, using a Launch Trolley, or with a Solid‑Ffuel Booster.
When compared with similar Systems, theCclosest Benchmark is the Barracuda 500M, which recently received a Special Anti‑Russian Modification with an Enlarged Warhead. However, Barracuda Trails Narwhal in several Key Parameters: Warhead Weight (45–85 kg), Navigation Systems, and Partially in Range, which varies between 500 and 900 km depending on Configuration. Its main Advantage remains Cost, at USD 216,500, while the Price of Narwhal has Not been Disclosed.
Importantly, LPP Co‑Owner Radim Petráš said was Conceived as Part of a Broader Unmanned Strike Ecosystem. Describing a Coordinated Attack Concept, He said: “We will send ten or twenty of our main 40‑kilogram drones to overload the enemy’s air defenses. At the same moment, two Narwhals will fly rapidly above them, and above those there will be another pair of invisible ones.”
The 40‑kg Drone likely refers to the MTS, with a Range of up to 650 km, 12‑kg Payload, Speeds-Up to 230 km/h, and the same Visual Navigation System as Narwhal. The “Invisible” Platform is almost certainly the Nightray Stealth, with a range of 400 km, Dpeed up to 500 km/h, a 30‑kg payload, and Identical Guidance Technology.
Because Narwhal was Engineered as Part of an Integrated System, Analysts believe that Both the Nightray Stealth and MTS Drones could also be Transferred to Ukraine, enabling a Full Battlefield Test of the Concept under Real Combat Conditions.
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