In an interview published by Reuters on 6/4, Denys Shtilierman, co-founder and chief designer of Ukraine's Fire Point company, revealed that the firm is discussing with European businesses the potential launch of a new air defense system in 2027.

Shtilierman explained that to intercept a ballistic missile, the US-made Patriot air defense system typically fires two to three missiles, each costing millions of USD. "If we can reduce this cost to under one million USD, that would be a 'game-changing' development for air defense solutions," Shtilierman stated, adding that the new system is expected to begin combat deployment from late next year.

A Ukrainian Patriot launcher in an image posted in January. Militarnyi

While declining to name the European companies involved in discussions, Shtilierman noted that Fire Point is "particularly interested" in cooperation on radar, communication systems, and missile target acquisition, areas where the company currently lacks expertise. "European companies like Weibel, Hensoldt, SAAB, and Thales all possess quality radar technology," Shtilierman said.

Ukraine and many Western nations currently rely on the Patriot system for ballistic missile interception. However, the supply of missiles for this system is becoming increasingly scarce, as Gulf countries use them in large quantities to counter attacks from Iran. In parallel, Europe's only ballistic missile defense system, SAMP/T, is produced in very limited numbers.

Fabian Hoffmann, a missile expert at the Norwegian Defense University, believes that launching a low-cost air defense system in 2027 is an "ambitious goal" for Fire Point. However, he noted that not only the Ukrainian military but also other countries urgently need such equipment, even if the new system has a lower target interception rate than Patriot.

Also in the interview, Shtilierman disclosed that Fire Point is in the final stages of developing two ballistic missile models. The smaller one, named FP-7, has a range of about 300 km, similar to the US ATACMS series, and will be deployed "in the near future."

The other model, FP-9, features a 900 kg warhead and a maximum flight range of 850 km, sufficient to reach Russia's capital Moskva, and is soon to undergo testing. Shtilierman believes that attacks targeting Moskva will "cause a significant shift in the mindset of Russian leadership and people."

A Flamingo missile hitting the Votkinsk factory in a video posted on 25/2. Defense Express

Established after the conflict erupted in early 2022, Fire Point is Ukraine's largest producer of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). In recent months, the company's Flamingo cruise missiles have been used to strike Russian military and defense industrial facilities.

The Flamingo missile is advertised as having a range of 3,000 km and carrying a 1,150 kg warhead. The manufacturer claims a production rate of three Flamingo missiles per day, each costing nearly 700,000 USD.

Shtilierman admitted that Flamingo is encountering some issues, including engine production. He stated that Fire Point expects to increase output after a new in-house developed engine model enters mass production from October, and after a rocket fuel factory in Denmark becomes operational by the end of this year.