Ukraine and nine European allies establish anti-ballistic missile coalition
Photo: the leaders of Ukraine, the United Kingdom, France, and Germany (Getty Images)
Ukraine has become one of the founding members of a new anti-ballistic coalition comprising ten European countries. The members have agreed to work together to strengthen missile defense capabilities, according to a statement from the French presidential office.
The leaders of Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Ukraine, and the United Kingdom signed a joint declaration on July 13 establishing the Integrated Missile Defense Coalition.
The declaration states that the decision was driven by the growing threat posed by ballistic missiles. Coalition members aim to build an integrated missile defense architecture that will complement existing national and European defense systems.
To achieve this, the participating countries plan to combine defense industry capabilities, scientific research, and combat experience to jointly develop new missile interception technologies.
Ukraine's unique experience in countering Russian missile attacks is expected to play a key role in the coalition's work.
"We acknowledge the unique experience of Ukraine, gained in defense against Russia’s war of aggression," the declaration states.
The participants also agreed to establish joint technical working groups, define governance mechanisms, develop an implementation roadmap, and expand cooperation in research, financing, and data sharing.
The Anti-Ballistic Missile Coalition currently includes 10 countries, but remains open to additional members that share its principles and objectives.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that strengthening anti-ballistic capabilities is one of the key factors in bringing the war to an end.
"The more systems Ukraine has to intercept Russian ballistic missiles, the greater the likelihood that Putin will come to the negotiating table, because his last argument in this war will no longer work," Zelenskyy said.
He also thanked French President Emmanuel Macron for organizing the first meeting of the European Anti-Ballistic Missile Coalition.
Ukraine's National Security and Defense Council Secretary Rustem Umerov stressed that the creation of the anti-ballistic missile coalition is not only a practical step toward strengthening the protection of Ukraine's skies, but also a reflection of Ukraine's role in shaping Europe's new security architecture.
"For Ukraine, this is recognition that our experience in countering Russian aggression has become one of the foundations of a new European security system. Ukraine is not only defending Europe — together with our allies, we are helping shape its future defense architecture," he said.
According to Umerov, much work still lies ahead, but the most important step has already been taken.
"There is a lot of work ahead. But the most important thing has already happened. We have taken the first step toward creating a common European shield. We share one sky over Europe, and we must defend it together," Umerov concluded.
According to Zelenskyy, the Freyja system is not intended to replace existing air defense assets but to complement them, creating a "reliable shield over all of Europe" more quickly and at lower cost.
Earlier, Ukrainian company Fire Point unveiled its FP-7.x anti-ballistic missiles, which are being developed for the future Freyja air defense system.
The company has also presented Freyja as a pan-European anti-ballistic shield that would be jointly owned by partner nations.
