President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who is currently on an official visit to the EU, reported on coalition work with partners to create a European anti-ballistic system, UNN reports.
The anti-ballistic system will be discussed at today's meetings in Brussels.
"Our European anti-ballistic system. As you know, Ukraine initiated this direction. For this, we need such coalition work with partners, with their companies, with their leaders. And today we should have a very important event where German representatives can share with Ukrainians what we need, and we will share what they need in order to take the first step towards a future anti-ballistic system,"
As a reminder
The pan-European anti-ballistic shield – Freyja, initiated by Ukraine, will be based on the Ukrainian ballistic interceptor missile FP-7.x, created by the Ukrainian manufacturer Fire Point. It is called an analog of the American Patriot PAC-3 system. However, the Ukrainian missiles are significantly cheaper – their price is expected to be around 700 thousand dollars per unit, compared to 3.8 million dollars for a single American one.
During a recent test, the FP-7.x reached a flight altitude of 25 kilometers, which is comparable to the performance of the Patriot system.
On June 16, the German manufacturer of radar systems Hensoldt joined the project to create the Freyja pan-European anti-ballistic shield. According to open sources, in addition to German long-range detection radars, Freyja will also include the Weibel GFTR-2100/48 or Leonardo KRONOS Land illumination and guidance radar. The command post will be based on the Norwegian Kongsberg Fire Distribution Center complex. One of the key features of the system will be its open architecture and the use of Network Access Nodes modules, which will allow for the integration of additional solutions and components.
Data exchange between all elements of the complex will be carried out via the Link 16 tactical channel, standardized according to STANAG 5516. This specific protocol is intended to ensure the integration of Freyja into the existing air defense systems of Ukraine and other European countries.
Chief designer of Fire Point Denys Shtylerman reported that the interceptor missile successfully passed testing, but clarified that for the missile to actually shoot down ballistic targets, it must be integrated with a seeker head, a command center, and radars.