Ukraine’s Fire Point Tests New Ballistic Missile for Air Defence System
Fire Point’s Ballistic Missile Development and Air Defence Initiatives
Successful Flight Test of the FP-7.X Missile
KYIV, June 3 (Reuters) - Ukraine's largest missile and drone maker, Fire Point, has conducted a flight test of a ballistic missile that will serve as the foundation of a project to create a missile air defence system, the company's CEO, Iryna Terekh, said on Wednesday.
"Recently, we conducted an extremely important test: a fully controlled manoeuvring flight of the FP-7.X missile, which will form the basis of the future Freyja anti-ballistic interceptor," Terekh wrote on X.
FP-7.X: Interceptor Variant and Capabilities
The FP7.X is the interceptor variant of Fire Point's FP7 ballistic missile, which is currently in development and which the company says will also be able to attack ground targets.
International Collaboration and Future Prospects
Talks with European Partners
Fire Point's co-owner Denys Shtilierman told Reuters in April that it was in talks with unnamed European companies to launch a new air defence system capable of downing supersonic ballistic missiles by the end of next year, creating a low-cost alternative to the U.S.-made Patriot.
Components of an Effective Air Defence System
Ground Radar Network and Targeting System
The missile itself is only one component of an air defence system. Analysts say its most complex parts are the ground radar network and the targeting system in the missile.
Context: Russia’s Missile Threat and Ukraine’s Response
Ongoing Russian Attacks
Russia, which invaded Ukraine in 2022, frequently launches ballistic missile attacks. On Wednesday, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said Europe needed to step up with its counter-ballistic missile programme.
Patriot Missile Deficit
Kyiv has complained for months about a critical deficit of interceptor missiles for the Patriot, the only reliable weapon in its arsenal against ballistic threats.
Fire Point’s Broader Production and Capabilities
Missile and Drone Manufacturing
Terekh posted a video showing a pink missile being fired from a rail launcher in a field with a pixelated background.
Fire Point, founded after the war began in 2022, now says it makes thousands of long-range drones every month. It also makes the Flamingo cruise missile, which Ukraine has used to hit several important Russian military-industrial sites.
Reporting Credits
(Reporting by Max HunderEditing by Tomasz Janowski)
