Shtilerman explained what the speed of implementing the FREYJA anti-ballistic defense depends on
Kyiv • UNN
The FP-7.x interceptor missile has already been tested, but the process of integration with other systems depends on the speed of the Europeans.
The agreements reached between Ukraine and European partners have paved the way for the Ukrainian defense company Fire Point to receive technical documentation for various components of the future FREYJA anti-ballistic system, which will be built on the basis of the Ukrainian FP-7.x interceptor missile. However, the implementation process takes time. What it depends on was told in an interview with Liga.net by co-founder and chief designer of Fire Point Denys Shtilerman, reports UNN.
According to him, the Europeans have understood the importance of implementing the anti-ballistic project.
"Now our entire bureaucratic apparatus is moving very quickly. Everyone understands the importance of this project. It took a year to get going, but now we are running. Memorandums have already been signed with a bunch of countries. The last one was signed by the defense ministers of Germany and Ukraine. This is the basis for them to start transferring technical documentation for various components: radars, seeker heads, datalinks. And for us to start integrating it into our interceptor," said Shtilerman, adding that European companies have also started to react faster.
The chief designer of Fire Point emphasized that the interceptor missile they developed has already been tested at maximum accelerations and maneuvers it can perform to intercept ballistic targets.
"Further – everything depends on the speed of integration of our European partners," explained Shtilerman.
According to him, during the integration of all system elements, the need for refinements may arise.
"And until we start integrating, we cannot say anything. Until we have access to the technical documentation, we don't know. There may be a need for some modernization, or 'fine-tuning' of the seeker head (seeker head - ed.), or the radar," explained Shtilerman.
At the same time, according to him, the integration process may also be slowed down by a factor such as vacations.
"But in a month, the vacation season begins for us. I am very, very, very worried that everything will stall for an entire month," noted Shtilerman.
According to him, Europe still does not fully realize the need for changes in the defense sector in the face of the challenges of modern warfare.
"They do not understand that Ukraine is the thin line that separates them from destruction. Because now the Russian army and the Ukrainian army are the only two armies in the world that know how to fight and have experience in modern warfare. If, God forbid, something happens to us, the Russians will go through Europe like a knife through butter, they will have nothing to oppose them. And when I see Europe spending tens of billions of euros on buying tanks that will never get there and never fire a shot that hits the enemy on the battlefield - it's absurd," said Shtilerman.
FREYJA anti-ballistic shield
Ukraine has initiated the creation of an anti-ballistic system, involving European partners. The project is named FREYJA. The missile defense system will be built on the basis of the FP-7.x interceptor missile from the Ukrainian company Fire Point.
The manufacturer expects to produce the first interceptor missiles, which have already passed tests, by the end of 2026. In addition, Fire Point recently signed a memorandum of cooperation with the German radar manufacturer HENSOLDT. Within the project, the company will provide the system with high-tech TRML-4D radars, which will be used for detecting and tracking ballistic targets.
The system also requires, in particular, the integration of an infrared imaging (IIR) seeker and a radio frequency (RF) seeker, which allows tracking the target by electromagnetic radiation. In addition, deploying a full-fledged air defense system requires, among other things, a real-time data transmission system from the radar to the missile, as well as a command and control center. All these components are to be provided by European companies.