First details emerge on Ukraine's experimental Ryf air defense system
According to the military, mastering the new Reefs takes longer than standard SAMs (Photo: Suspilne Kherson/Youtube/screenshot)
Ukraine's Defense Forces have begun deploying a deeply modernized version of the Soviet-era Strela-10 short-range air defense system, adapting the former frontline missile complex to counter modern aerial threats, NV reported on July 1.
Before Russia's full-scale invasion, Ukraine had several projects to deeply modernize Soviet-era short-range air defense systems, including the Strela-10, Osa and others. Developed in the 1970s, these systems were designed to operate near the front line, primarily protecting troops from aircraft and helicopters. At the start of the full-scale war, Ukraine still had a large stockpile of missiles for these Soviet systems, but their technical capabilities no longer matched the realities of modern warfare. As Russia largely stopped using fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters directly over the front line — and almost entirely over Ukrainian-controlled territory — these frontline air defense systems were increasingly used against Russian strike and reconnaissance drones. However, they also face significant limitations in that role.
Several months ago, NV learned that the Ukrainian military was testing a new air defense system based on a deep modernization of the Soviet-era Strela-10. The upgraded version, called Ryf, features a completely new guidance, fire-control and target engagement system better suited to countering drones. Unlike the original Strela-10, which uses an infrared-guided "fire-and-forget" missile, the Ryf employs a laser-guided missile that allows operators to track and guide the missile until the target is destroyed.
Soviet-era infrared-guided missiles have often proved ineffective against drones because they were originally designed to engage aircraft, helicopters and missiles with very different target signatures.
According to NV's sources in Ukraine's Ground Forces, the Ryf already demonstrates roughly 35% to 40% greater effectiveness than the standard Strela-10. The comparison refers to the ratio of missiles launched to aerial targets destroyed, with the biggest improvement seen in intercepting Russian drones.
"It's already clear that this system has a much higher kill rate, but another issue arises. I could train someone to operate a standard Strela in a matter of hours if they were capable. With the new Ryf system, it takes much longer to master target acquisition, guidance and tracking. I believe its effectiveness will improve even further as more experienced crews emerge," said one servicemember involved in testing the Ryf who has already downed several aerial targets.
NV had previously obtained information about the Ryf but did not publish it for operational security reasons. The system was publicly shown for the first time in a recent report by Suspilne, making it possible to disclose additional details.
According to Western military analysts, Ukraine had up to 150 Strela-10 systems at the beginning of 2022. Additional launchers may have been restored from storage or supplied by partners that also operated Soviet-made equipment. Ukrainian manufacturers had also established production of laser-guided missile systems, creating favorable conditions for the development of the Ryf.
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