Ukraine Targets 2027 Prototype for European Missile Shield

Ukraine aims to have a prototype of a European anti-ballistic missile system, codenamed Freyja, ready in the first half of next year. The project is intended to produce a weapon capable of intercepting Russian ballistic missiles and reducing dependence on US-made Patriot systems.

Davyd Aloian, deputy secretary of Ukraine’s National Security and Defense Council and head of the project, said an international steering committee tasked with estimating research and development costs would meet soon.

Leaders from 10 European countries, including President Volodymyr Zelensky, and around a dozen defense manufacturers formally launched the coalition at a summit in Paris two weeks ago.

Ukraine is prepared to supply both the launcher and interceptor missile. It expects its allies to provide modern radars, sensors and expertise in missile guidance and control electronics.

Eurosam, Leonardo, Thales and Saab have joined the project. The lead industrial partner will be the Ukrainian company Fire Point, which last month signed an agreement with German defense manufacturer Hensoldt to provide radar systems.

Freyja is intended as a lower-cost alternative to Patriot. According to Aloian, it will have an open architecture allowing individual countries to use their own radars and other components. The creation of a special body or fund to secure stable financing is also under consideration.

(Reuters, bak)