A cheaper alternative to Patriot for intercepting ballistic missiles could carry out its first interception by the end of 2026, according to Denys Shtilerman, co-owner of Fire Point.
“If everyone moves very fast, then by the end of the year we could achieve the first interception. But it has to be done very quickly by everyone. And any media scandal seriously slows things down,” he said during a meeting of the Verkhovna Rada Temporary Investigative Commission on possible violations of Ukrainian defense and anti-corruption legislation in Kyiv on Monday.
According to him, the development of the relevant air defense project for intercepting ballistic missiles is currently at the stage of testing prototypes and is being carried out together with European partners. Shtilerman clarified that the Freya project involves Germany, France, and Norway.
“Italy… unfortunately is currently on hold… we hope they will return to cooperation,” he added.
The co-owner of the company said that the Freya project is being implemented within intergovernmental agreements, under which manufacturers can sign separate contracts for producing specific system components.
He noted that relevant agreements on the implementation of the project exist at the intergovernmental level.
Shtilerman also claimed that Ukraine’s Security Service (SSU) has opened a criminal case regarding the alleged transfer of design documentation by the Anti-Corruption Action Center to various embassies.
“We have filed a complaint, and an investigation is underway,” he said.
On the social network X, Shtilerman previously explained that the goal of the Freya project is to create a pan-European integrated air and missile defense system. He noted that the FP-7.x interceptor is a lightweight missile designed to counter ballistic threats, made from composite materials and intended to reduce cost per shot.
