Ukraine has set clear deadlines for the creation of its own FREYJA missile defense system. According to David Aloyan, Deputy Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council (NSDC), the completion of work on the system is planned for the first half of 2027. This information was reported by RBC-Ukraine, citing Reuters.
Ambitious Deadlines and an International Coalition
The core of the project is the creation of a prototype for a European air defense system. Kyiv is actively lobbying for its allies' participation in this process, aiming to unite efforts to develop an effective means of protection. The first meeting of the international steering committee is expected to take place soon. Its main task will be to assess the financial costs of research and development (R&D) for the new system.
The initiative received a strong start two weeks ago in Paris. Leaders of ten European countries, including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, as well as representatives of a dozen leading defense manufacturers, gathered at the summit. It was there that the missile defense coalition was officially launched.
David Aloyan emphasized the strictness of the work schedule. "Since we are working on such a tight schedule, we have an ambitious goal — to have a ready MVP (Minimum Viable Product) in the first half of next year," the official stated. The MVP refers to a prototype capable of demonstrating the first practical results in intercepting threats.
Dependence on the US and Shortage of Means
The development of FREYJA is dictated by the critical need to diversify the arsenal. At present, Ukraine is chronically dependent on supplies of American Patriot systems. These systems remain the only weapons in the Ukrainian arsenal capable of effectively shooting down Russian ballistic missiles.
The situation on the front remains tense. Recently, Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed the existence of an acute shortage of air defense missiles, noting that the situation has significantly worsened. In response to the threat, the head of state has already announced new appointments aimed at strengthening the country's sky protection. At the same time, Ukrainian forces continue to repel regular attacks, recording the number of destroyed targets in daily reports.
