Ukraine develops ballistic missiles to reach Moscow

Ukraine is developing its own ballistic missiles, specifically the FP-7 and FP-9 models, to enhance its long-range strike capabilities. According to President Zelensky, these systems are expected to be operational by this autumn following a certification process by the Ministry of Defense. The FP-9 is designed with the capability to reach targets as far as Moscow, serving as a domestic alternative to the American ATACMS missiles, which are subject to strict usage restrictions.

Production remains a significant challenge. The manufacturing process is heavily dependent on international funding and the procurement of specialized components from global allies. While Ukrainian intelligence reports that Russia produces over 65 ballistic missiles per month, Ukraine's initial production volume is expected to be much more modest.

Additionally, Ukraine is collaborating with nine European nations on the ‘Freya program’. This initiative aims to adapt the FP-7 into an anti-ballistic missile interceptor to address critical shortages of PAC-3 missiles. However, Fire Point CEO Iryna Terekh noted the difficulty of accelerating traditional long-term development cycles to meet current needs.