Ukraine starts production of Flamingo cruise missiles: Specs and capabilities revealed
Ukraine is developing its own long-range cruise missile (Illustrative photo: facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua)
Ukraine has begun serial production of the Flamingo cruise missiles with a range of up to 3,000 kilometers. According to Defence Express, the new missile has a warhead twice as powerful as the American Tomahawk.
Ukrainian photojournalist Yefrem Lukatsky posted photos of the new missile on his Facebook, along with a promise of more detailed information.
Although only the name and the claimed range of the missile were provided, experts noted that there are very few such missiles in the world.
In particular, a range of 3,000 km is almost twice that of the modern American Tomahawk Block V, which has a flight range of over 1,600 km.
Experts suggest that the missile shown in the released photo is, most likely, the FP-5 cruise missile.
It has already been publicly demonstrated, and its tactical and technical characteristics were announced. The missile model was first showcased in early February 2025 by the Milanion Group at the IDEX-2025 exhibition held in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Public specifications of the FP-5, or Flamingo:
- Range: 3,000 km
- Flight time: over 4 hours
- Maximum speed: 950 km/h
- Cruise speed: 850–900 km/h
- Wingspan: 6 meters
- Maximum takeoff weight: 6 tons
- Warhead weight: 1 ton
Experts note that, based on the published specifications of the Flamingo and FP-5, as well as their appearance, large missiles with fixed straight wings and engines mounted above the fuselage, there is no equivalent of this new missile in the world.
Analyzing the FP-5 missile’s specifications, the most striking feature is the warhead weight - one ton. This makes the missile twice as powerful as the American Tomahawk, whose warhead weighs 450 kg.
Another significant advantage is production capacity: according to Milanion Group, the company can manufacture over 50 FP-5 missiles per month. This became possible due to a simplified design - the missile is not launched from a transport-launch container and does not have folding wings.
At the same time, this design choice increases pre-launch preparation time to 20–40 minutes. However, considering the FP-5’s combat potential, experts consider this trade-off justified.
The company also stated that the missile is equipped with a satellite navigation system resistant to electronic warfare, as well as an inertial guidance system.
Drone counterpart
Defence Express suggests that the developers of the FP-5 missile are likely also involved in creating the high-precision FP-1 drone. This UAV has already proven its effectiveness and accuracy.
Notably, these drones were recently used to destroy the command post of the 132nd Motorized Rifle Brigade of the Russian Armed Forces in Yenakiieve and to strike a defense factory in Arzamas.
Defence Express noted that Milanion Group is headquartered in the UAE. In 2021, the company signed a cooperation agreement with a significant Ukrainian defense company.
The arms manufacturer also has divisions in other countries. For example, Milanion NTGS operates in the UK.
Earlier this spring, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy ordered the acceleration of ballistic missile development. The Presidential Office announced plans to create a missile with a range of up to 700 kilometers.
For more details on the range of Ukrainian ballistic missiles, read the article by RBC-Ukraine.
