Members of the Anti-Ballistic Coalition recognize Ukraine's unique experience and plan to exchange technologies.
Kyiv • UNN
In Paris, Ukraine and nine European countries signed a declaration on the creation of a defense coalition for a joint air defense system. The coalition will combine the defense-industrial base and experience, including Ukraine's unique experience in defending against Russian aggression.
Today in Paris, Ukraine and 9 European countries signed a declaration on the creation of an exclusively defensive coalition, within which they will work on building a joint missile defense system. Within the Anti-Ballistic Coalition, the countries plan to combine their defense-industrial base and existing developments in the field of air defense to create a common defense, reports UNN.
The declaration, in addition to Ukraine, was signed by the leaders of Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, and the United Kingdom.
In the document, the leaders recognized the growing ballistic threat and "the importance of defense capabilities for the security of the European continent."
"We recognize Ukraine's unique experience gained in defending against Russian aggression," the document states.
The participants of the Anti-Ballistic Coalition believe that the defense of Europe requires a global solution of an integrated missile defense architecture to deter and overcome future missile threats. This solution should be developed "through collective efforts, technological openness, and trusted industrial cooperation."
The system should complement the existing missile defense systems of the participating countries.
"By combining our defense-industrial base, our research, and our operational experience, we aim to create a joint missile defense capability for Europe and support relevant activities that contribute to this. We do this not against any peoples, but to protect our own," the document states.
Further steps to implement the joint air defense system should include establishing common operational requirements, joint technical work, establishing clear management mechanisms, and developing a roadmap to achieve initial operational capabilities. The countries also plan to support joint research and development activities.
Reminder
Today, July 13, a meeting of European leaders took place in Paris dedicated to the creation of the European anti-ballistic shield FREYJA, initiated by Ukraine.
As the President noted, he tasked Ukrainian arms manufacturers with creating a cheaper analogue of the Patriot that could be mass-produced.
The Ukrainian arms manufacturer Fire Point has created the FP-7.x interceptor missile, which has already been tested at maximum accelerations and maneuvers it can perform to intercept ballistic targets. The cost of this missile is about 700 thousand dollars per unit compared to 3.8 million dollars for one American missile for the Patriot.
The pan-European anti-ballistic shield Freyja was conceived from the outset as one that would unite European partners. As President Zelenskyy noted, Ukraine is capable of creating such a system independently, but it would take years, because in addition to the missile, FREYJA requires the integration of a whole range of components.
Even before the signing of the declaration on the creation of the Anti-Ballistic Coalition, the Ukrainian company Fire Point signed an agreement with the German radar manufacturer Hensoldt. From open sources, it is known that in addition to German long-range detection radars, the system will likely also include the Weibel GFTR-2100/48 or Leonardo KRONOS Land illumination and guidance radar. The command post is expected to be based on the Norwegian Kongsberg Fire Distribution Center system. One of the key features of the system will be an open architecture and the use of Network Access Nodes modules, which will allow 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. It is this protocol that should ensure the integration of Freyja into the existing air defense system of Ukraine and other European countries.
As stated by co-founder and chief designer of Fire Point Denys Shtilerman, the key difference of the Freyja project is its independence from external control. He explained that modern Western air defense systems often operate in a closed architecture format, where the supplier country or manufacturer effectively retains control over critical elements of the system. It is expected that the project's architecture will be implemented in such a way that new partner countries can easily join it.