Ukraine develops Freya air defense system as cheaper Patriot alternative: Details
Photo: Ukraine is developing the Freya air defense system (video screenshot)
Ukrainian company Fire Point, together with partners, is developing the new Freya air defense system, which is expected to become an affordable analogue of the Patriot system.
RBC-Ukraine explains what is currently known about the development.
What we know about the Freya project
Denys Shtilerman, co-owner and CEO of Fire Point, said that Freya is a joint European project involving several countries. The goal is to create an air defense system capable of intercepting ballistic missiles.
“If everything goes well, we will have the first interceptions by the end of the year,” Shtilerman said.
He noted that on the Ukrainian side, the Freya program is overseen by Rustem Umerov. Germany, France, and Norway have also joined the project.
Shtilerman explained that Freya is being implemented within the framework of intergovernmental agreements that allow manufacturing companies to sign separate contracts for the production of various system components. The project is financed by the participating companies, while interstate agreements create conditions for technological exchange between countries.
In addition to Fire Point, another Ukrainian company is participating in the program, although its name has not yet been disclosed.
Photo: Ukraine is developing the Freya air defense system (video screenshot)
Is Ukraine developing only the missiles or the entire system?
As Fire Point told RBC-Ukraine, the Ukrainian company is the initiator, lead developer, and integrator of the entire system. Among the components included in the complex, the company develops and manufactures FP-7 interceptor missiles and launchers.
Other required components are being developed by partner countries. Within the framework of the international consortium, Fire Point integrates all components into a single completed air defense/missile defense system.
FP-7 missile characteristics
The new system is expected to be based on the FP-7 interceptor missile made of composite materials, with a speed of 1,500–2,000 m/s. The missile is 7.25 meters long, with a diameter of 1.15 meters and a fuselage diameter of 0.53 meters. Missile launches were first demonstrated at the end of February this year.
Other technical characteristics include:
- range: up to 200 km;
- warhead: 150 kg;
- maximum speed: 1,500 m/s;
- average speed: 800 m/s;
- deviation from target: 14 meters;
- maximum flight time: 250 seconds.
The missile is equipped with a semi-active infrared homing head, which is planned to be developed in cooperation with the German company Diehl Defence (IRIS).
Photo: Ukraine is developing the Freya air defense system (video screenshot)
Will the system be universal or only for ballistic threats?
Fire Point emphasizes that Freya is a multifunctional system capable of performing both air defense and missile defense tasks. However, its key feature and advantage is protection specifically against ballistic targets.
Earlier, it was reported that the Ukrainian FP-7 and FP-9 ballistic missiles are expected to become analogues of the American ATACMS. But they are expected to be twice as cheap.
Recently, Flamingo missiles, also produced by Fire Point, struck an Iskander missile factory.
