Dan-T

History

Dan-T is a prospective Russian cruise missile intended for long-range precision strikes. Reports published in August 2026 describe the weapon as compatible with several Russian combat aircraft and the Mi-28 attack helicopter, while additional ground-based and naval launch options are being developed or evaluated.

The missile is reported to have a range of about 500 km and a 135 kg warhead. Its intended targets include armored vehicles, fortified field positions, and light infrastructure. Russian plans reported in 2026 call for production of approximately 10,000 Dan-T missiles during 2027.

Available reporting describes Dan-T as a lower-cost weapon related in role and characteristics to the S8000 Banderol. The Russian Aerospace Forces are reportedly considering increased procurement of Dan-T and a gradual reduction in Banderol use because Dan-T is claimed to cost about 35 percent less.

Development

The program became publicly documented in 2026 through reporting based on information from Ukrainian military analyst kriegsforscher and Ukrainian military intelligence. Militarnyi reported that the missile could be launched from ground-based and airborne platforms as of August 2026. UNITED24 Media similarly described the weapon as a prospective low-cost cruise missile intended for large-scale production.

Major General Vadym Skibitskyi, Deputy Chief of the Defense Intelligence of Ukraine, stated that Russia was working to replace foreign components in the Dan-T with domestically produced equivalents. This localization effort was described as one of the program's development objectives.

Reporting also describes ongoing work to integrate a Kometa-16 antenna array and an electro-optical terminal guidance system. These systems were still described as development work rather than established production-standard equipment.

Production plans

Russia reportedly plans to manufacture approximately 10,000 Dan-T missiles in 2027. This figure originates from analyst reporting and has been repeated by several Ukrainian and international publications. Defense Express described the planned production scale as part of an effort to field large numbers of relatively inexpensive long-range weapons. A UNITED24 Media summary also cited the reported 10,000-missile production plan.

Design

Dan-T is described as a cruise missile designed to attack armored vehicles, fortified field positions, and light infrastructure. Published technical data are limited, but the missile is reported to have a maximum flight range of approximately 500 km while carrying a 135 kg warhead.

Launch platforms

Reported airborne launch platforms include the Su-25SM3, Su-30SM, Su-34, and Su-57 combat aircraft and the Mi-28 attack helicopter. Reports differ on the maturity of the ground-launch capability. Militarnyi reported that ground launch was already possible by August 2026, while Defense Express described ground-based deployment as still being actively developed. Images attributed to analyst kriegsforscher show a possible wheeled ground launcher carrying two transport-launch containers, but the configuration has not been independently established as an operational production system.

Naval deployment has also been discussed in reporting, but available sources describe ship-based launch as a prospective capability rather than a confirmed operational configuration.

Guidance

Work is reportedly underway to equip Dan-T with a Kometa-16 antenna array and an electro-optical terminal guidance system. These features are described as part of continuing development, and the available reporting does not establish that all current missiles carry this configuration.

Program status

As of August 2026, Dan-T was described as a prospective weapon already compatible with several airborne launch platforms, while additional launch configurations and guidance equipment remained under development. Russia was also reportedly pursuing greater use of domestically produced components.

The Russian Aerospace Forces command is reported to be considering exclusive future procurement of Dan-T while gradually phasing out the S8000 Banderol. The reported cost of Dan-T is approximately 35 percent lower than that of Banderol, although no absolute unit price is provided by the available sources.

The planned production of approximately 10,000 missiles in 2027 has not yet occurred and should be regarded as a reported production target rather than a completed procurement quantity.

Specifications (Dan-T)

General characteristics

• Type: Cruise missile
• Warhead: 135 kg
• Reported launch platforms: Su-25SM3, Su-30SM, Su-34, Su-57, and Mi-28
• Ground launcher: Reported wheeled launcher with transport-launch containers for two missiles; status uncertain

Performance

• Range: approximately 500 km

Guidance

• Planned or developing equipment: Kometa-16 antenna array and electro-optical terminal guidance system

Related equipment

• S8000 Banderol: Russian munition with similar reported technical characteristics. Dan-T is being considered as a lower-cost replacement.
• Dan-M: Defense Express describes Dan-T as a continuation of the Dan-M project.