The Ukrainian design bureau Luch, best known for the Neptune anti-ship missile, has introduced a new concept — an interceptor designed for the prospective Koral air defense system. As reported by TWZ, the missile could be adapted for use with launch platforms from systems such as the S-300 and possibly even Patriot.

The concept was presented at an exhibition of Ukrainian defense technologies that featured missiles, drones, and hybrid solutions. The event was attended by Vladimir Zelensky. At the same time, the exact version of the interceptor on display was not specified, leaving open whether it was an early prototype or a design nearing serial production.

According to TWZ, the Koral interceptor is expected to have a range of up to 100 kilometers, a mass of about 300 kilograms, and a maximum speed of roughly 3,600 kilometers per hour. Its warhead is estimated at 25 kilograms. Luch’s chief designer Oleg Korostelev previously indicated that the missile is being developed with ballistic target interception in mind and that, as of 2023, the project was around 70% complete. He also noted plans to equip the interceptor with an active radar seeker known as Onyx, developed by the Ukrainian company Radionix.

The report also points to an international component in the project. Luch and Radionix are said to be working with the Spanish group Sener, which produces components for IRIS-T missile systems. The Koral interceptor may employ a combined control system, pairing traditional aerodynamic surfaces with gas-dynamic controls integrated into the engine nozzle. Such a configuration is expected to improve maneuverability in the final phase of flight and enhance the ability to intercept complex targets at high altitudes.

Earlier mock-ups reportedly featured elements resembling propulsion components from Patriot systems, likely intended to refine guidance accuracy. These elements, however, are absent from the latest version of the design.