Ukraine is rapidly developing its own missile defense system named Freya. This was announced by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during a meeting with journalists. According to him, the project is European in nature but is being implemented under Ukrainian leadership.
A Cheaper Alternative to Patriot
Zelenskyy characterized Freya as an analog of the well-known American Patriot system, but with key differences. The new system is designed to intercept ballistic targets, is intended for mass production, and, most critically, must be cheaper than Western analogs.
"I would call it European, but nevertheless, yes, under our leadership," noted the head of state.
Why Partner Assistance is Needed
Although Ukraine possesses the technology to develop the system independently, Zelenskyy acknowledged that doing so alone would take years. To shorten the timeline, Kyiv initiated cooperation with European countries.
"Our task was to bring everyone together and present the corresponding Freya project to those countries that can help Ukraine make it very quickly. That is, we can do it ourselves. But it will take years," explained the president.
The Role of Ukraine and Partners
A key advantage of the project is that the missiles will be produced in Ukraine. However, creating a full-fledged missile defense system requires not only warheads and launchers but also complex radars, control systems, and other components.
"Why our leadership? Because the missile is of Ukrainian production. But for systems, you need not only the missile and the launcher; you need radars, control, many different elements," Zelenskyy clarified.
Eight countries are participating in the creation of the system, ready to provide the necessary technologies and resources. This cooperation is designed to help not only Ukraine but also all of Europe in creating its own defense against ballistic threats.
Next Steps and Prospects
In the near future, the first meeting within the framework of Project Freya will take place in France. Zelenskyy expressed hope for the initiative's success, noting that partner support in the coming days and weeks will be a major breakthrough for the Ukrainian defense industry.
Parallel to the development of Freya, Ukraine continues its work on obtaining a license to produce Patriot systems. The President has instructed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Defense to begin technical work without delay to launch production as soon as possible. Earlier, Zelenskyy also stated that the USA will soon provide Ukraine with a new package of missiles for Patriot complexes.
