At the international arms exhibition Eurosatory 2026 in Paris, the state enterprise Ukroboronprom presented the strike unmanned aerial vehicle UAV-290 — a jet-powered kamikaze drone designed to destroy stationary ground and maritime targets at depths of up to 650 km from the front line.
This is not a concept or mockup: the device was demonstrated at the stand with a ground-based launch platform, according to a report from a "Militarny" correspondent directly from the event.
What's Inside
The UAV-290 is equipped with a turbojet engine that provides a cruising speed of up to 800 km/h — a level atypical for serial strike kamikaze-class UAVs. For comparison: the Iranian "Shahed-136," which Russia massively uses against Ukraine, flies at a speed of about 185 km/h. A ninefold difference in speed significantly reduces the window for interception by air defense systems.
Launch is carried out using a solid-fuel accelerator from a mobile ground platform — no airfield is needed. After the accelerator separates, the device transitions to autonomous flight mode controlled by an integrated INS+GPS navigation system. Additionally, a radio altimeter is installed for low-altitude flight.
Specifications
- Launch weight: 350 kg
- Warhead: up to 100 kg
- Range: up to 650 km
- Cruising speed: up to 800 km/h
- Wingspan: 1.7 m; length: 3.5 m
- Navigation: INS+GPS + radio altimeter
- Targets: stationary ground and maritime objects
Context: Why Paris Needs This
Eurosatory is Europe's leading exhibition of ground and air weapons systems. Presence there means not only a demonstration of technologies, but also an open signal to potential buyers and partners. Ukroboronprom simultaneously presented "Peklo" missile-drones and the SEA TRIDENT underwater vehicle at the same stand — essentially an entire lineup of autonomous strike systems.
"UAV-290 is positioned as a means against stationary ground and maritime targets"
— correspondent from "Oborona" at the Ukrainian stand at Eurosatory-2026
A warhead weighing 100 kg at a strike speed of about 800 km/h creates kinetic energy comparable to a small-caliber aviation ammunition — which makes UAV-290 potentially effective against protected stationary objects: command posts, logistics nodes, radar positions.
What Remains Unknown
Ukroboronprom has not reported on the status of serial production and combat use. There are no confirmations from the Armed Forces of Ukraine or ISW regarding operational use of UAV-290 at the time of publication. The exhibition presentation is a claim of capability, not a report of combat duty.
If Ukroboronprom moves from a demonstration sample to confirmed serial production and the Armed Forces of Ukraine receive the device in significant quantities — the question is whether 650 km of range and a 100 kg warhead will be enough to change the tactics of striking deep Russian rear facilities, which existing UAVs currently cannot reach stably.
