MOSCOW, October 21. /TASS/. Artificial intelligence in the Citadel air defense missile system achieves a 99% target engagement rate, the state corporation Rostec said.

"The system is equipped with an AI-based fire control system. Machine learning algorithms enable a 99% target engagement rate," Rostec stressed.

The corporation noted that the system is already deployed to safeguard critical facilities and can engage both small FPV drones and heavy unmanned aerial vehicles, as well as cruise missiles.

The state corporation said that Citadel learns in real combat conditions. "If the first round misses the target, the system assesses the error and adjusts its next shot. Target recognition and trajectory calculation take only seconds. There is no need to fire in bursts. A projectile with a programmable fuse detonates at the required location, covering the drone in a cloud of shrapnel. As a result, several times fewer projectiles are needed to destroy a target," Rostec said.

It added that military personnel confirm that it takes no more than four shots to neutralize a single target.

Citadel can operate independently or as part of a layered air defense system. By intercepting drones, the system reduces the workload of heavy anti-aircraft missile systems, allowing them to concentrate on priority targets.