Russian military sources have released a video showing the launch of the «Dan-T» loitering munition from a ground-based launcher. The footage shows the missile taking off at an angle, leaving a thick trail of smoke in its wake, before gaining altitude. Russia had previously demonstrated the use of this weapon from a Mi-28NM attack helicopter. According to its stated specifications, the «Dan-T» is capable of striking targets at a range of up to 450 kilometres and carrying a 130-kilogram warhead.
Briefly about the main points
- Russian sources have released footage of a ground-based launch of the «Dan-T» munition.
- The missile is fitted with a jet engine and has a claimed range of up to 450 kilometres.
- According to Russian sources, the warhead weighs 130 kilograms.
- Russia had previously demonstrated launches of this weapon from Mi-28NM helicopters.
Russia has demonstrated a ground-based launch of the «Dan-T»
A widely circulated video shows a missile being launched from a ground-based position. After launch, the missile rises into the air, leaving a dark trail of smoke.
The location and date of the filming are unknown. It has not been independently confirmed that the footage actually shows «Dan-T», but it hasn't worked out yet.
At the same time, the ground-based variant of this weapon has already been mentioned previously. In particular, in October, Russian military sources demonstrated the «Dan-T» on a ground-based launcher during the «Centre-2026» exercises. It is therefore premature to claim that the current video shows the first confirmed launch.
What are the specifications of the Russian «Dan-T» missile?»
Russia officially unveiled the munition in September 2026 at the El Alamein International Airshow in Egypt.
According to Defense Express, citing the stated specifications, the «Dan-T» has a launch weight of 268 kg, a warhead weighing 130 kg and a maximum speed of up to 500 km/h. Its operational range is up to 450 km.
The munition is fitted with a small rocket engine. Experts suggest that it may be a variant of the S8000 «Banderol» small winged missile, which Russia is using to launch strikes against Ukraine.
Russia is expanding the ways in which it uses long-range munitions
On 6 November, the Russian Ministry of Defence released footage showing the «Dan-T» being deployed from a Mi-28NM attack helicopter. The video showed the munition being released from the helicopter.
The demonstration of a ground-based launch indicates that Russia is working on alternative ways of deploying such weapons without the use of combat aircraft.
At the same time, experts at Defense Express point out that it is not yet known whether the ground-based and airborne variants use the same missile design or whether they are separate variants.
There are currently no official figures on the scale of production of the ground-based version or its actual combat deployment.
