European countries are interested in localizing the production of Ukrainian missiles and drones, but expansion is hindered by excessive bureaucracy. That is why, for the implementation of joint defense projects, in particular the pan-European anti-ballistic shield Freyja, it is necessary to simplify procedures as much as possible. This was stated by the CEO and CTO of Fire Point, Iryna Terekh, reports UNN.
"We are receiving many requests from various governments regarding the localization of our production in their countries. I would say that most European countries are interested," Terekh said in an interview with Euractiv.
However, the main obstacle to scaling production in Europe, according to her, remains bureaucracy.
"European bureaucracy is a greater threat to Europe's defense than the Russians. You can fight the Russians with missiles and drones, but how do you fight European bureaucracy?" Terekh noted.
She cited the example of Denmark, which removed more than 20 legislative barriers so that Fire Point could start production of solid fuel for Flamingo missiles. At the same time, in other countries, the processes remain too lengthy.
"In the time it would take me to build a plant, for example, in Belgium, I would build four or five of them in Ukraine," explained the CEO of Fire Point.
Among other things, according to Iryna Terekh, the simplification of European bureaucratic procedures is also needed to create the European anti-ballistic program Freyja. This project is intended to reduce Europe's dependence on American Patriot air defense systems and become a cheaper alternative in a relatively short time.
Ukraine and nine other European countries on July 13 signed a declaration on the creation of the Anti-Ballistic Coalition and the implementation of the Freyja project. Leading European defense companies joined the development of the system. From Ukraine, the company Fire Point is involved, which developed the FP-7.x interceptor missile and its launcher, which will become part of the European air defense system. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed hope that the use of Freyja could be seen within a year.
"For this, we need a green corridor from every country that is part of this anti-ballistic coalition to remove bureaucratic obstacles for the companies that are part of Freyja. We want them to focus on supplying us with radars and other components and spend less time fighting export licenses and other bureaucratic work," Terekh emphasized.
Furthermore, according to the CEO of Fire Point, the company is already planning development after the end of the war. They see themselves not only as a weapons manufacturer but also as a participant in large-scale international technology projects, particularly in the space industry.
"It will not be about competitiveness, but about cooperation. Freyja is a good portal to the future, a forecast of how markets will work," summarized the CEO of Fire Point.