Solutions to win: Ukrainian ballistic interceptor reaches altitude on par with Patriot, production may start in August

10.06.2026, 14:50 rubryka.com

As he noted, Fire Point continues to develop the FP-7.x ballistic-target interceptor missile, which forms part of the future Freyja air defense system.

According to him, recent missile tests were successful. The FP-7.x reached an altitude of 25 kilometers, putting it on par with Patriot system missiles, and also demonstrated enough speed to intercept ballistic targets.

Mass production of the missile could begin as early as August 2026. The company expects to produce up to three missiles a day, but implementing these plans depends on the supply of an infrared seeker, which Fire Point hopes to receive from the German company Diehl Defence.

The missiles should be fully ready for use in 2027.

According to Shtilerman, one FP-7.x costs about 700,000 US dollars. By comparison, a Patriot PAC-3 missile costs around 3.8 million US dollars.

At the same time, unlike Patriot missiles, which rely on advanced ground-based target-designation radars for guidance, the FP-7.x also uses radar guidance but switches to an infrared heat-seeking head in the final stage of flight, the "last mile."

However, the publication notes that heat guidance is considered less effective than radar guidance because more countermeasures and deception tools are available against it.

The missile is part of the Freyja air defense system. European partners plan to provide the radars and the command-and-control system for the complex.

According to the Financial Times, Fire Point held talks with German companies Hensoldt and Thales on radar supplies, with Italy's Leonardo on target detection and tracking radars, and with Norway's Kongsberg on command-and-control technologies.

Background

As Rubryka reported, Fire Point showed tests of the FP-7.X missile, which will serve as the basis for Ukraine's FREYJA anti-ballistic interceptor.

— Denys Shtilierman (@DenShtilierman) February 27, 2026

Fire Point chief designer Denys Shtilierman published the FP-7.X specifications on X. In particular, the projectile is made of composite materials and can reach speeds of 1,500 to 2,000 meters per second. It is 7.25 meters long and has an external diameter of 1.15 meters, while the fuselage diameter reaches 0.53 meters.

The missile has a semi-active infrared seeker, which Fire Point plans to develop in cooperation with the German company Diehl Defence, known for its IRIS systems.

It should be noted that in April 2026, Fire Point announced plans to supply the Ukrainian army with a new air defense system in 2027 capable of intercepting ballistic missiles. At the time, Shtilierman said the new air defense system his company wants to develop should create a cheaper alternative to the Patriot system, with each missile costing less than 1 million US dollars.

The company later presented its FREYJA anti-ballistic project, which will be based on the FP-7.x interceptor missile. The FP-7.x has a flight speed of 1,500 to 2,000 meters per second and is 7.25 meters long. Tests of this type of missile were shown back in February 2026. At the time, it was noted that the missile is designed for rapid strikes on targets at medium ranges.