- Ukraine aims to have a prototype of the European-backed Freyja anti-ballistic defence system ready in the first half of 2027 as it seeks an alternative to the Patriot missile system.
- A senior official stated that Kyiv is working with allies and defence manufacturers to build a weapon capable of intercepting Russian ballistic missiles.
- Davyd Aloian, deputy secretary of Ukraine’s National Security and Defence Council, oversees the Freyja project and mentioned that an international steering committee is expected to meet for the first time soon.
- The anti-ballistic coalition was formally launched at a summit in Paris, bringing together leaders from 10 European countries along with around a dozen defence manufacturers.
- Aloian stated that manufacturers have been asked to develop an open architecture that would allow countries to integrate their own equipment.
- Ukrainian President Zelenskyy expressed hope that the system would become operational within a year, stating that the interceptor was 'just a matter of testing'.
- Kyiv expects partner countries to provide technologies including advanced radar systems, sensors, and expertise in missile guidance and control electronics.
- Defence companies participating in the initiative include Eurosam, which manufactures the SAMP-T interceptor system, as well as Leonardo, Thales, and Saab.
- Ukrainian missile and drone manufacturer Fire Point, which developed the Flamingo cruise missile, will serve as the lead industrial partner for the project.
Ukraine aims to have a prototype of the Freyja anti-ballistic defense system ready by mid-2027, as it seeks alternatives to the Patriot missile system.
Davyd Aloian, deputy secretary of Ukraine’s National Security and Defence Council, stated that an international steering committee will soon convene to estimate research and development costs.3
The initiative was launched at a summit in Paris, uniting leaders from ten European nations and various defense manufacturers, including Eurosam, Leonardo, Thales, and Saab.8
“Since we're working within such a tight timeframe, we have an ambitious goal: to have an MVP (minimum viable product) ready by the first half of next year,” Aloian said.
Ukraine is prepared to provide a launcher and an interceptor missile, which President Zelenskyy described as “just a matter of testing.” He expressed hope that the system would be operational within a year.6
Kyiv anticipates that partner countries will contribute advanced technologies, including modern radar systems, sensors, and missile guidance expertise.7
Fire Point, a Ukrainian missile and drone manufacturer, will lead the project, having previously developed the Flamingo cruise missile.9
“The overall logic of this system is that it's an open architecture,” Aloian added, emphasizing the collaborative nature of the project.5
“Davyd Aloian, deputy secretary of Ukraine's National Security and Defence Council, stated that an international steering committee will soon meet to estimate research and development costs. The project, which includes contributions from defence manufacturers like Eurosam and Fire Point, aims for a minimum viable product ready by mid-2027.”
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