Russia’s newest Dan-T drone made its debut at the El Alamein International Airshow 2026 in Egypt. Developed by Rostec, the unmanned aircraft features a compact jet engine that enables it to maintain high cruising speeds and strike targets several hundred kilometers away. According to the corporation, its capabilities already put it on par with a full-fledged cruise missile.

The Dan-T is designed to carry out missions without operator intervention. Once launched from its carrier, the aircraft independently follows its assigned route to the target, requiring no further control. It also features a special low-observability flight mode intended to help it penetrate enemy air defenses.

Rostec believes technological advances have largely erased the traditional distinction between attack drones and cruise missiles. A corporation representative explained that the Dan-T now meets the performance standards of a cruise missile. The Russian defense manufacturer is also working on several similar projects, all incorporating artificial intelligence to varying degrees. Some of these systems could be unveiled as early as next year, offering greater range, autonomous operation and improved strike accuracy.

The Dan-T has already completed a full series of tests as an aviation weapon. Rostec reports that its combat effectiveness has been demonstrated through hundreds of successful launches against enemy targets in the special military operation zone.