Ukrainian Marine Corps Adopted Rif Air Defense System

The 101st Separate Anti-Aircraft Missile Division of the 30th Marine Corps has adopted the new Rif air defense system, which was previously unknown to the public.

The military demonstrated the system in a report by Suspilne.

As the commander of a combat vehicle, who goes by the call sign “Samurai,” told reporters, he has been operating this system since January 1, 2026.

“To say it’s very difficult — no. It all depends on skill and practice. I can say that our specialty is now of great importance. Because at the start of the war, tank forces, artillery, and mortars were given higher priority. But now they’re using more Shaheds, Gerberas, and everything related to unmanned systems,” he said.

ЗРК Риф pic.twitter.com/MUCprKkAwQ

— dimdim (@dimdim518484) June 29, 2026

The specifications of the air defense system are not publicly disclosed. Judging by its appearance, the new air defense system uses a chassis from the Soviet “Strela-10” air defense system.

However, unlike the Soviet system, the Rif is equipped with a modern optoelectronic station featuring a thermal imaging sight and new missiles.

Recently, at the Eurosatory 2026 international defense exhibition, held June 15–19, 2026, in Paris, Ukrainian developers publicly unveiled the DRAGON ground-based air defense system for the first time.

The system can use missiles with infrared homing heads — the R-60, R-73, and AIM-9M. In addition, a new compact ST-100 anti-aircraft missile is being developed for it.

As a company representative told Militarnyi, these air defense systems have already been codified and have become part of Ukraine’s air defense system.