Robin Radar Systems has unveiled what it calls a breakthrough upgrade to its IRIS counter-drone radar, extending detection range from 5km to 12km.
The firm says the new capability, developed directly from feedback provided by Ukrainian operators, could give frontline defenders crucial extra time to respond to Shahed loitering munitions.
The new “Long-Range Mode” was tested in Ukraine, where Shaheds have become a near-daily threat to infrastructure. According to Robin Radar, the ability to detect drones travelling at more than 180 km/h at a distance of 12km could be the difference between a successful interception and a strike on critical sites.
Unlike large missile-tracking radars, IRIS is compact and mobile, with deployment possible within minutes. The company stresses that the new capability is delivered entirely through software, requiring no hardware changes. This means all existing IRIS units already in service can be field-upgraded.
Robin Radar has positioned IRIS as a comparatively low-cost counter-drone system that can plug into multi-sensor architectures, offering militaries and security agencies an off-the-shelf option for layered defence. The firm says the upgrade will be rolled out not only to Ukrainian forces but also to European ministries of defence, ministries of the interior, and the US Department of Homeland Security Science & Technology directorate.
Siete Hamminga, CEO of Robin Radar Systems, said: “This upgrade marks a step-change in what counter-drone radar can achieve. By listening to our users on the frontline, we’ve redefined the capabilities of an off-the-shelf system—delivering a battlefield-proven solution that is now being made available worldwide.”
Kristian Brost, General Manager of Robin Radar USA, added: “This upgrade isn’t just about range—it’s about time. Every extra kilometre of detection gives defenders more precious seconds to react, more chances to protect critical infrastructure, and ultimately, more lives saved. By delivering this leap forward entirely through software, we’re showing how the decisive edge in counter-drone defence is no longer just built—it’s coded.”
The company will be showcasing the system at DSEI in London this week on stand N11-222, where it will pitch the long-range upgrade as a proven and immediately available solution for countering drones on the modern battlefield.
