Ukraine can produce Freya anti-ballistic system fast on one condition
Photo: Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine (Getty Images)
Ukraine is rapidly developing its own anti-ballistic defense system, known as Freya. However, the project cannot move forward quickly without support from international partners, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said while speaking to journalists.
Ukraine's Freya anti-ballistic system
Zelenskyy revealed new details about Ukraine's work on the Freya anti-ballistic project.
"I would describe it as European, but under our leadership. It is an equivalent of the Patriot system for intercepting ballistic missiles, designed for mass production at a lower cost," the President said.
He also announced that the first meeting dedicated to the project will take place in France in the near future.
"Our goal was to bring everyone together and present the Freya project to the countries that can help Ukraine complete it very quickly. We can do it ourselves. But it will take years," Zelenskyy said.
How partners can help
The President stressed that, just like the production of Patriot and SAMP/T systems, developing Ukraine's own anti-ballistic defense system takes time.
"Production is very limited, waiting lists are very long, and that is why we are working in several directions. Why is Ukraine leading this project? Because the missile is Ukrainian-made. But systems require not only a missile and a launcher—they need radars, control units, many different elements," Zelenskyy explained.
Therefore, European partners can help Ukraine to produce an anti-ballistic system quickly.
"These are eight countries that can help both Ukraine and the whole of Europe create their own anti-ballistic system. I have high hopes for this project. If our partners support us in the coming days or weeks, it will be a great help and a significant breakthrough for Ukraine's defense industry," Zelenskyy said.
Earlier, Zelenskyy announced that the United States would soon provide Ukraine with a new package of anti-ballistic missiles for the Patriot air defense system.
The President also said that Ukraine's Foreign Ministry and Defense Ministry must immediately begin the technical work required to secure a license for Patriot production, allowing Ukraine to launch domestic manufacturing as quickly as possible.
