Ukrainian air defense system "Rif" with RK-10 missile shown in action for the first time
Kyiv • UNN
The Ukrainian anti-aircraft missile system "Rif" with RK-10 missiles is serially produced and used by the Defense Forces. The system is in service with the 101st separate anti-aircraft missile battalion.
The Ukrainian anti-aircraft missile system "Rif" with RK-10 missiles, which first underwent live-fire tests at the end of 2021, is already being mass-produced and used by the Defense Forces of Ukraine. This was reported by Defense Express, writes UNN.
Details
As the publication notes, citing a story by "Suspilne", the system is in service with the 101st separate anti-aircraft missile battalion of the 30th Marine Corps of the Ukrainian Navy. According to the military, they have been operating the "Rif" SAM system since January 2026 and use it to intercept Russian drones.
The basis for the new system was the Soviet "Strela-10" SAM system. The MT-LB chassis, the rotating mechanism of the launcher, and the operator's station were retained from it, while the launcher itself was modernized to accommodate four RK-10 missiles in transport-launch containers. The system also received a modern optical-sighting station with a laser rangefinder, thermal imaging, and television channels.
The system began development before the full-scale war
According to Defense Express, the RK-10 missiles use a "laser beam-riding" guidance system, similar to that used in the Swedish RBS 70 SAM system, the British Stormer, and the modern RapidRanger system.
The publication recalls that the first live-fire tests of the RK-10 took place in December 2021 – approximately two months before the start of Russia's full-scale invasion. Despite the war, the development of the system was completed and brought to serial production.