Britain and its European partners are preparing to help Kyiv develop its own air defense system, designed as an alternative to the US-made Patriot, The Telegraph reported, citing sources. The issue was discussed at talks in London on June 7 involving the United Kingdom, France and Germany.
According to the newspaper, EU countries are willing to support the project in order to reduce Ukraine’s dependence on supplies from the United States.
The plan would divide responsibilities among the participants. Ukrainian plants would produce anti-ballistic interceptor missiles, while European companies would provide radars, tracking equipment and guidance systems.
One source told The Telegraph that Ukraine needs radars and guidance systems from its allies to bring the components together into a European version of the Patriot system — cheaper and easier to scale up in production.
The Telegraph also reported that Vladimir Zelensky, during recent talks with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, persuaded the alliance to coordinate the project. NATO officials later met with representatives of relevant companies and national security advisers from alliance member states.
The Financial Times has also reported on the development effort. Denis Shtilerman, head of Fire Point — the company producing the Ukrainian Flamingo cruise missile — told the newspaper that the firm carried out the first flight test last week of the FP-7.x anti-missile interceptor for the new air defense system. He assessed the test as sufficiently successful.
Shtilerman said serial production of the missile could begin in August if Fire Point receives an infrared seeker. The company expects the component to be supplied by Germany’s Diehl Defence. Under that scenario, he said, the missiles could be ready for combat use in 2027.
He also said the new air defense system has been named Freyja.