Czech Republic Enters Missile Era: Narwhal Cruise Missile Reaches 680 km
LPP showcased the Narwhal cruise missile and the Nightray stealth drone at the Dubai Airshow, signaling a major advancement in Czech long-range precision weapons. With domestic engine production and rapid deployment capability, the Czech defense industry moves toward full sovereign strike systems.
Three months ago, Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský publicly said the Czech Republic should aspire to produce its own missiles. Whether he already knew what was coming or simply voiced a logical ambition – we now see the result: the first Czech-developed cruise missile, Narwhal, was presented at the Dubai Airshow, one of the most important global aerospace exhibitions.
This subsonic missile flies at very low altitude at around 750 km/h, with a range of 680 km while carrying a 120 kg warhead. The lighter configuration, carrying a 40 kg payload, extends the range to 730 km. To put this in scale: 680 km is nearly the entire length of former Czechoslovakia in a straight line.
According to LPP co-owner and commercial lead Radim Petráš, the missile is in the final development stage, with mass production expected in Q1 2026.
The missile was ceremonially baptized at the stand by Czech Air Force Commander, General Petr Čepelka, who attended high-level talks with numerous international delegations. Outside Europe, rank and uniform still open doors—often more effectively than any business card.
Čepelka confirmed that the Czech military recognizes the strategic value of domestically produced advanced weaponry and intends to deepen testing and integration with Czech industry:
“We’re interested primarily because of rapid potential deployment and operational readiness.”
Nightray: LPP’s Stealth Kamikaze Drone
Alongside Narwhal, LPP introduced the Nightray—a heavy kamikaze drone designed for long-range precision strikes. Production is scheduled to begin in spring 2026.
Key capabilities:
- Payload: 30–40 kg explosive charge
- Speed: up to 450 km/h
- Stealth profile: radar-attenuated wing geometry
- Navigation: optical guidance, enabling autonomous target strike even if GPS is jammed
Notably, the Nightray uses LPP’s own jet propulsion system, giving the company full independence from sensitive foreign suppliers. This year alone, LPP will produce nearly 1,000 jet engines and drones, driving revenue to around 4 billion CZK (~$166 million).
Petráš highlighted a critical strategic advantage:
“We are not dependent on anyone. We have no foreign supplier that can restrict us.”
LPP wasn’t the only Czech success story at Dubai.
- AviaNera, part of the Czechoslovak Group (CSG) of billionaire Michal Strnad, exhibited for the first time at a major global aerospace show. Just days earlier, AviaNera acquired Serbian engine manufacturer MUST Solutions, and brought two of its engine types to Dubai.
- PBS Group, the established Czech jet engine manufacturer, displayed engines TJ40, TJ80, TJ150, and is nearing certification for TJ200. PBS recently opened full-scale drone engine production in Roswell, Georgia, USA, underscoring the group’s strategic expansion.
Another Czech firm, Air Team, signed an agreement with UkrOboronProm (Ukraine’s state defense conglomerate employing ~100,000 people) to jointly develop counter-drone systems.
