"This is the most successful missile we've ever had. It has a range of 3,000 km, which is very important," Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in a statement released on 21/8, referring to the domestically produced Flamingo missile.
This was the first time Zelensky mentioned the missile since it was revealed by a Ukrainian journalist on 17/8. The president stated that Kyiv will "have more missiles" by December, adding that mass production is expected to begin then or in January or February 2026.
The Associated Press (AP), on the same day, quoted Fire Point, the manufacturer of the Flamingo missile, as saying that the company is currently producing about one missile per day and aims to increase production at least sevenfold by October. This means the company will produce over 2,500 Flamingo missiles per year.
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A warhead inside the shell of a Flamingo missile at Fire Point's factory on 14/8. Photo: AP |
A warhead inside the shell of a Flamingo missile at Fire Point's factory on 14/8. Photo: AP
New images of Fire Point's production facility reveal that the missile is large, with a pointed warhead designed for enhanced penetration of fortified targets. It's also possible that the manufacturer has adapted a warhead from another type of bomb and attached it to the missile.
The Flamingo missile appears to utilize the Soviet-developed AI-25TL turbofan engine, the same type used in the L-39 Albatros training aircraft. This is a logical choice, as Ukraine's Motor Sich company still produces AI-25 engines, and the Ukrainian military operates L-39 aircraft.
Importantly, the L-39 is widely used globally, with thousands of units produced, providing Ukraine with a potential source of engines.
Fire Point previously stated that the Flamingo missile carries a 1,150 kg warhead. A video released by the company shows the missile being launched from a two-axle trailer-mounted launcher, rapidly gaining altitude before transitioning to level flight and separating its booster stage.
Observers note that the missile closely resembles the FP-5 cruise missile, unveiled by the United Arab Emirates' (UAE) Milanion group at a defense exhibition in Abu Dhabi in February.
The FP-5 has a one-ton warhead, a maximum range of 3,000 km, a launch weight of 6 tons, a top speed of 900 km/h, and uses an inertial navigation system combined with satellite positioning with anti-jamming capabilities. Sketches released by the UAE indicate the FP-5 also uses a similar launch vehicle to the Flamingo.
Two Flamingo missile launches in videos released on 18/8. Video: Dzerkalo Tyzhnia
Joseph Trevithick, editor of the military website War Zone, suggests that if Fire Point significantly increases Flamingo production, Ukraine will have a new method to strike targets deep within Russian territory with greater force.
"The jet engine gives the missile high speed and better survivability when flying deep into enemy territory, especially compared to light converted aircraft and other long-range drones. The combination of a large warhead and the speed provided by the jet engine allows the missile to penetrate hardened objects, thus expanding the list of potential targets," Trevithick said.
Pham Giang (According to AP, War Zone)
