Ukraine's NOCTIS Officially Unveils ZIRKA Interceptor Drone: Up to 380 km/h, Priced at Just ~$2,000
Ukrainian drone manufacturer NOCTIS has officially unveiled its ZIRKA interceptor drone, featuring a 30 km combat radius, 6 km service ceiling, approximately 20 minutes of endurance, a top speed of 340–380 km/h, and a 1 kg payload. Priced at around 78,000 Ukrainian hryvnias (~$2,000), it is one of the most cost-effective interceptor drones in its class. The production ZIRKA 1.0 includes autonomous target detection within 1.2 km, while the planned ZIRKA 2.0 aims to extend that range to approximately 2 km.
Highlights
- NOCTIS officially unveiled the ZIRKA interceptor drone, which achieves a top speed of 340–380 km/h and a maximum combat radius of 30 km.
- Each ZIRKA unit costs approximately 78,000 Ukrainian hryvnias (~$2,000 USD), positioning it as one of the most affordable interceptor drones available.
- The production ZIRKA 1.0 features autonomous terminal guidance activated within 1.2 km of a detected target.
- The planned ZIRKA 2.0 upgrade is expected to extend autonomous target detection range from 1.2 km to approximately 2 km.
- ZIRKA's development reflects Ukraine's broader push toward high-speed, low-cost, and autonomous drone systems driven by active wartime demand.
Ukrainian drone manufacturer NOCTIS has officially presented its latest interceptor drone, the ZIRKA. Although the platform made its first appearance in May 2026, this announcement marks the company's first formal public disclosure of the system.
Key Specifications
According to data released by the development team, the ZIRKA interceptor drone offers the following core performance characteristics:
- Combat radius: Up to 30 km
- Service ceiling: 6 km
- Endurance: Approximately 20 minutes
- Top speed: 340–380 km/h
- Payload capacity: 1 kg
Low-Cost Advantage
One of the ZIRKA's most notable attributes is its highly competitive unit cost. Each drone is reportedly priced at approximately 78,000 Ukrainian hryvnias (roughly $2,000 USD), making it one of the most affordable interceptor drones in its class. This cost advantage carries significant strategic weight in high-volume operational scenarios where large numbers of interceptors are required.
Autonomous Detection Capability
The current production model, ZIRKA 1.0, is equipped with an automated target detection system capable of initiating autonomous terminal guidance within 1.2 km of a target, enabling precise interception.
The planned ZIRKA 2.0 upgrade is expected to extend the autonomous detection range to approximately 2 km, substantially improving response time and interception success rates against incoming threats.
Industry Significance
The emergence of ZIRKA reflects the accelerating trend within Ukraine's drone industry toward high-speed, low-cost, and autonomous systems, driven by the demands of active combat. In an increasingly contested drone-versus-drone battlespace, low-cost interceptors with autonomous terminal guidance capabilities are expected to attract widespread attention from defense operators worldwide.
Source: NOCTIS
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