Ukraine is developing a missile that can reach moscow - The Economist

Ukraine has begun developing a new missile called Trembita, which is expected to become an important element in the country's defense strategy. One version of this missile will be able to reach moscow. This is reported by The Economist, citing information from the Ukrainian military, UNN reports .

Details

The development of Trembita has been going on for only a year and a half, which is an impressive timeframe for such a complex engineering task.

The Trembita engine is a modern remake of the $200 pulse jet engine that was first used in the German V-1 bomb in 1944. The engine tube is a rough version. Underneath it hangs a more stylish gray rectangular casing that hides the guidance system and the missile warhead

"The Trembita is capable of reaching speeds of up to 400 km/h and has a flight range of 200 km.

However, a more powerful model is being developed in Ukraine to reach moscow. Serial production is planned for the period after the final field tests. 

It is noted that it will take at least a year to produce missiles in the number, range and capabilities that could seriously threaten russia.

Another difficulty is finances. The government supports the production of any rocket that has shown that it can fly. Private manufacturers are offered a 25% profit, the same as drone manufacturers. 

An even more difficult task is scaling up to industrial production - raising capital, purchasing sensitive equipment from abroad, and ensuring security. Here, Ukraine lags behind the russian state military complex. 

One source argues that new partnerships with Western allies are the best way to scale. Not every country is ready to share its own experience, equipment, and risks. However, some are stepping up, such as Denmark and the United Kingdom.

According to The Economist, the details of Ukraine's missile program are closely guarded, and for good reason. russia has been relentlessly attacking production facilities, killing and injuring hundreds of workers. For example, in December 2023, several cruise missiles hit the Neptune missile plant in Kyiv. In November 2024, russia targeted Pivdenmash in Dnipro with its "new" Oreshnik inter-regional ballistic missile.

About five new missile and unmanned systems, as well as a dozen smaller projects, are ready for flight. The most famous of these are the Neptune missile, which was adapted from an anti-ship weapon and sank the russian flagship moscow in 2022, and the Grom-2 (or Sapsan) tactical ballistic missile

The publication notes that the production of missiles during the war brought rocketry to a new level - underground. Part of the production was moved to protected bunkers, and components are manufactured at hundreds of hidden facilities. 

Recall

A Ukrainian startup has started mass production of the Palianytsia drone missile with the support of the Defense Ministry. The missile has a range of 700 km and costs less than $1 million, and Lithuania has allocated €10 million for its production.