The Ukrainian company Fire Point, manufacturer of the Flamingo cruise missile, is negotiating with European firms to launch a new air defense system by next year, a company executive told Reuters.
If the trials are successful, it can be revolutionary for Ukraine and European defense, which is dependent on the decisions of the US administration on Patriot's PAC-3 missiles supply.
Fire Point aims to create a low-cost alternative to the Patriot system, which is becoming increasingly difficult to procure, potentially paving the way for greater autonomy in Ukraine’s defense industry.
Potential turning point in global air defense
Co-founder and chief designer Denys Shtilerman says the company is targeting a cost for ballistic missile interception below $1 million.
"If we can decrease it to less than $1 million, it will be ... a game changer in air defence solutions," he said in an interview. "We plan to intercept the first ballistic missile at the end of 2027," he stresses.
Investment and scaling: government approval and Middle Eastern backing
Shtilerman added that Fire Point expects government approval for investments from a Middle Eastern conglomerate that values the company at $2.5 billion.
This will open opportunities, including low-orbit satellite launches. The company is also in the final stages of developing two hypersonic ballistic missiles.
Short- and medium-range FP-7 and FP-9: from test launches to operational use
The compact FP-7, with a range of ~300 km, will see military deployment soon and is comparable to the short-range ATACMS system from Lockheed Martin.
The larger FP-9, capable of carrying an 800 kg warhead up to 850 km, is in final testing stages, marking another step in the development of Ukrainian precision ballistic technologies.
Earlier, EU Commissioner for Defense and Space Andrius Kubilius said Russia improved the tactical and technical characteristics of its ballistic missiles. Now, Ukraine needs more missiles to intercept Russian targets.
