Zelenskyy discussed with Meloni work on anti-ballistic defense and the need for air defense missiles
Kyiv • UNN
The President of Ukraine held an important conversation with the Prime Minister of Italy, discussing prospects for joint work in Europe on anti-ballistic defense. Zelenskyy informed about the situation in Ukraine and the need for additional air defense missiles.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy held an "important" conversation with Prime Minister of Italy Giorgia Meloni, during which the parties discussed the prospects of joint work in Europe on anti-ballistic defense and the need for air defense missiles, as reported on Wednesday on social media, writes UNN.
Details
"Met with the Prime Minister of Italy Giorgia Meloni. An important conversation. Informed about the situation in Ukraine," Zelenskyy wrote.
He stated that Russia does not stop shelling our cities and communities. "Today there were again ballistic strikes, and attack drones were also launched. Unfortunately, there are casualties in Kyiv, Kharkiv, and Kherson. Russia took the lives of five people. My condolences to their families and loved ones," the President noted.
We discussed the prospects of joint work in Europe on anti-ballistic defense to add protection for everyone – both Ukraine and every country. We talked about the need for additional missiles for air defense systems, and we greatly count on support
At the same time, he emphasized that Italy "always fundamentally helps protect life," and expressed gratitude.
Reminder
On July 6, during a speech at the NATO Defense Industries Forum, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated the need for Europe to create its own missile defense systems. He emphasized that ballistic missiles remain Russia's main advantage.
Earlier, Ukraine initiated the creation of an anti-ballistic system, involving European partners. The project is named FREYJA. The missile defense system will be built based on the FP-7.x interceptor missile from the Ukrainian company Fire Point.
The manufacturer expects to produce the first interceptor missiles 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 to detect and track ballistic targets.
According to co-founder and chief designer of Fire Point, Denys Shtilerman, the company is also finalizing negotiations with one of the European manufacturers regarding the supply of an infrared homing head (IIR) for the interceptor missile. Negotiations are ongoing with another European partner regarding the integration of a radio frequency homing head (RF), which allows tracking a target by electromagnetic radiation.
Shtilerman noted that the involvement of European governments, particularly Germany, significantly accelerated the implementation of the FREYJA project. If bureaucratic procedures in partner countries progress quickly, the first interceptors could be ready by the end of the year.
At the same time, other components are needed to complete the creation of a full-fledged system, which must be provided by European partners. In particular, this concerns a system for real-time data transmission from the radar to the missile, as well as a command and control center.