This week, Ukraine’s Defense Intelligence Directorate (GUR) revealed the first image of a Magura-7 naval drone armed with AIM-9M Sidewinder missiles, which have been provided by the United States as part of military assistance in response to the Russian invasion. The development comes almost simultaneously with Kyiv’s report of having shot down two Russian Su-30 fighter jets over the Black Sea, an action which GUR Director Kyrylo Budanov claimed was carried out by unmanned naval systems.
Looking at some of the details in the image, the Ukrainian Magura-7 drone is shown carrying two AIM-9M Sidewinder missiles—traditionally used as air-to-air weapons. These types of vessels have previously relied primarily on AA-11 Archer missiles to neutralize aerial threats. Additionally, both missiles appear to have protective caps covering their seekers, presumably to shield the advanced infrared sensors until launch. Given that the drone is uncrewed, it likely relies on an automatic mechanism to remove these covers prior to firing.
Moreover, the drone in the image features what seem to be at least three new rectangular communication antennas—one mounted at the bow and two at the stern. The Magura-7 also appears to have been equipped with electro-optical sensors and infrared cameras to enhance its target detection capabilities, although these are not directly visible in the published image. Their presence is inferred from a previously released video showing the drone aiming at and subsequently downing a Russian aircraft. Based on this, some U.S. analysts speculate that the image may have been taken during a testing phase rather than of a finalized operational model, though no confirmation has been provided.
It is worth noting that this is not the first time a Ukrainian naval drone has been seen equipped with missiles originally designed for airborne launch. Such adaptations require significant modifications to the drone’s design to accommodate the necessary sensors and launch systems. A notable example was observed in December 2024, when it was confirmed that Soviet-era R-73 missiles had been used to shoot down a Russian Armed Forces Mil Mi-8 helicopter.
In this context, it is important to highlight that the Soviet-era R-73 features High Off-Boresight (HOBS) capabilities, allowing it to lock onto and engage targets without the need for physical aiming maneuvers, as its seeker can acquire a moving target directly from the rail. In contrast, the AIM-9M lacks this feature. Therefore, when mounted on a fixed rail, the drone must maneuver to align the missile with the target, a task complicated by wave motion at sea.
Finally, regarding some particular characteristics of the Magura-7, it is believed to be a new version developed from the kamikaze-style Magura-5 drone, featuring significantly larger dimensions. Based on the known length of the AIM-9M missile—approximately 2.8 meters—the vessel’s estimated length is between 7 and 8 meters, compared to 5.5 meters for the Magura-5. However, specific performance data such as speed and range for the Magura-7 remain unknown. The previous version was capable of reaching speeds of up to 42 knots and had a range of 450 nautical miles.
Cover image: GUR
