Russia Bolsters Air Defenses Against Ukraine’s FP-9
Military Watch Magazine says Russia is strengthening air defenses as Ukraine develops the FP-9 missile for strikes on Moscow and Saint Petersburg.
According to Military Watch Magazine, Russia is strengthening its air defense network in response to Ukraine’s plans to deploy FP-9 missiles.
The US publication noted that the new missile, developed by the Ukrainian company Fire Point, carries an 800-kilogram warhead and has a reported range of about 850 kilometers. Those specifications would allow launches from Ukrainian-controlled territory against Moscow, Saint Petersburg, major military headquarters, logistics hubs and energy infrastructure.
Military Watch Magazine described the FP-9 program as one of the most ambitious projects undertaken by Ukraine’s defense industry since large-scale hostilities began in 2022.
The authors also pointed out that Russia operates one of the world’s most advanced air defense systems. A key part of that network is the S-400, whose missiles outperform Western counterparts in several areas.
The system uses the 48N6DM missile and the newer 40N6 interceptor. Both were designed to engage targets traveling at speeds above Mach 14. That performance allows them to climb rapidly and intercept ballistic targets descending at extremely high velocity.
According to the publication, this is nearly three times faster than the interceptors used by the US Patriot system. As a result, Russia’s air defenses pose a major obstacle to Ukrainian and Western efforts to develop missiles capable of penetrating the country’s air defense network.