Ukraine makes first progress on new FREYJA anti-ballistic missile system - Zelenskyy
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy (photo: Getty Images)
Work on the European FREYJA anti-ballistic missile defense program is gaining momentum, with the first results already achieved, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.
According to the president, on October 21, he held a meeting with Norwegian Defense Minister Tore O. Sandvik.
The talks were also attended by Eirik Lie, CEO of Norwegian defense company Kongsberg, and representatives of the corporation. Notably, Kongsberg produces NASAMS air defense systems.
"These systems effectively protect our people and critical infrastructure from Russian missile and drone strikes virtually every day," Zelenskyy emphasized.
The president said he expects Ukraine to receive additional defense support packages as early as November.
"Norway is also actively involved in FREYJA, our European anti-ballistic program. We already have the first results in developing individual components of the system. Today, we identified where we can and must accelerate our work so that testing can begin by the end of this year," Zelenskyy said.
The Ukrainian leader also added that the talks focused on launching work on new satellite communication capabilities for Ukraine's Defense Forces.
"We will involve partners who have the capacity to provide support. Thank you, Norway!" Zelenskyy concluded.
Recently, Zelenskyy revealed when Ukraine's first FREYJA anti-ballistic missile defense system would be ready.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha also disclosed the current stage of the project.
