A video released by the Ukrainian defense company Fire Point has offered the first look at the domestically developed FP-7.X interceptor missile. The missile is expected to become the cornerstone of the future FREYJA missile defense system, which is being positioned as a significantly more affordable yet highly effective alternative to the U.S.-made Patriot air defense system. According to the project’s stated targets, each interceptor is expected to cost around $700,000, keeping the overall cost of a successful interception below $1 million.
The footage was published on Fire Point’s official Instagram page and accompanied by the tagline: “FREYJA – a pan-European anti-ballistic shield under shared ownership. Coming soon…”
The project is being developed through a partnership between Ukraine and leading defense companies from France, Germany, Norway, and Sweden. The FP-7.X is derived from the FP-7 ballistic missile and shares its core architecture with the offensive variant. Ukraine’s Fire Point is responsible for the missile’s development and production, as well as the launcher system, while the European partners will integrate advanced radar technologies and battle management systems.
Read also: Project Freyja: How Fire Point Aims to Close a Gap in Ukraine’s Air Defense
The missile’s airframe is reportedly constructed from carbon fiber, reducing its weight while improving maneuverability. The interceptor is expected to reach speeds of 1,500–2,000 m/s and engage ballistic targets during the terminal phase of flight at altitudes of up to 20 km. The FP-7.X will also incorporate an advanced seeker developed by Germany’s Diehl Defence. According to the developers, this will enable the missile to discriminate against decoy heat signatures commonly deployed by Russian ballistic missiles during the final stage of their approach to the target.
Yesterday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and First Lady Olena Zelenska arrived in France on a diplomatic visit, where missile defense was among the key topics on the agenda. “Our top priority is ballistic missile defense. We will present our Anti-Ballistic Program to our partners and, for the first time, hold a meeting bringing together heads of state, national security advisers, and defense companies from countries that can make tangible contributions to building a new anti-ballistic defense system,” Zelenskyy wrote on his X account. He added: “I will also meet with French President Emmanuel Macron and take part in a meeting of the Coalition of the Willing. We will work to inject new momentum into this format.”
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Source: censor
