Luch RK-2PZ

History

The RK-2PZ is a Ukrainian surface-to-air missile developed by the Luch Design Bureau for upgraded Strela-10 air-defense systems and the new Desna air-defense system. The missile is derived from the Barrier anti-tank guided missile, which in turn belongs to the R-2 missile family.

Ukroboronprom publicly presented the RK-2PZ at the MSPO 2026 defense exhibition in Poland in September 2026. The displayed missile confirmed a 130 mm caliber, a missile mass of 28.9 kg, and a 6.1 kg high-explosive fragmentation warhead.

The RK-2PZ uses optical target tracking and laser guidance rather than the guidance arrangement of the original Soviet Strela-10 missiles. It is intended to provide a new Ukrainian missile for both modernized legacy launchers and newly developed air-defense modules.

The development is associated with the modernization of the Strela-10 system into the Ukrainian configuration known as Ryf. According to Militarnyi, the Ryf retained the MT-LB tracked chassis, launcher rotation mechanism, and operator position of the original system. The modernized complex underwent its first reported live-fire tests in December 2021.

By June 2026, a Ryf system had been publicly shown in service with the 101st Separate Anti-Aircraft Missile Battalion of Ukraine's 30th Marine Corps. Reporting from UNIAN likewise described the Ryf as already serving with Ukrainian forces. These reports establish the operational status of the modernized launcher, but they do not provide a complete public record of when the RK-2PZ designation itself entered service.

The RK-2PZ was publicly displayed at MSPO in Poland on 8 September 2026. UNITED24 Media independently reported the same basic dimensions, warhead mass, guidance arrangement, and intended use with the Ryf and Desna systems. Another report from Defense stated that the missile was already being used on the front line. However, detailed performance data and a complete official service history have not been publicly disclosed.

Design

The RK-2PZ was developed from the Barrier anti-tank guided missile. Barrier itself is a development of the R-2 missile family produced by the Luch Design Bureau. The surface-to-air version retains the 130 mm caliber and adapts the basic missile architecture for engagement of aerial targets.

Guidance and target engagement

After target designation, the operator selects a target for automatic tracking through the control panel. Tracking can use either the television channel or the thermal-imaging channel of the optical targeting station.

The missile is launched from a transport-launch container and is then guided toward the tracked target by a laser guidance system. Reporting on the system describes commands being transmitted through the laser beam to a receiver located toward the rear of the missile.

The RK-2PZ is fitted with a proximity target sensor for detonation near an aerial target. If the missile directly strikes the target, a contact sensor initiates the warhead. Both arrangements activate the missile's high-explosive fragmentation warhead.

Warhead and launch container

The missile carries a 6.1 kg high-explosive fragmentation warhead. The missile itself weighs 28.9 kg, while the complete missile in its launch container weighs 47 kg.

Integration

One intended launcher is the modernized Strela-10 system known as Ryf. This conversion retains major mechanical elements of the Soviet system, including the MT-LB chassis and launcher rotation mechanism, while incorporating the equipment required to operate the RK-2PZ.

The missile is also intended for the Desna air-defense system. Desna is described as a newly developed launcher module specifically intended for RK-2PZ missiles. The chassis for the Desna module had not been publicly demonstrated when the missile was presented at MSPO 2026.

Program status

The RK-2PZ existed as a physical missile and was publicly displayed by September 2026. The associated Ryf launcher had already been publicly shown with a Ukrainian military unit, while secondary reporting also described the RK-2PZ itself as being used on the front line.

Public information remains incomplete. The manufacturer has not disclosed detailed performance characteristics, including maximum engagement range, engagement altitude, missile speed, maneuver limits, or a complete list of intended target types. These values therefore cannot be stated reliably from the available evidence.

Platforms

• Ryf: A Ukrainian modernization of the Strela-10 surface-to-air missile system. It retains the MT-LB tracked chassis, launcher rotation mechanism, and operator position and is configured to use the RK-2PZ.
• Desna: A newly developed air-defense launcher module intended for RK-2PZ missiles. Its planned carrier chassis had not been publicly shown by September 2026.

Specifications (RK-2PZ)

General characteristics

• Type: Surface-to-air missile
• Caliber: 130 mm
• Missile mass: 28.9 kg
• Mass in launch container: 47 kg
• Warhead mass: 6.1 kg
• Warhead type: High-explosive fragmentation

Guidance

• Target tracking: Automatic tracking through television or thermal-imaging channels of an optical targeting station
• Missile guidance: Laser guidance
• Fuzing: Proximity sensor for near-target detonation and contact sensor for direct impact