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Ukraine Could Become Europe’s Key Testing Ground for Next-Gen Missile Defense Systems
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Ukraine may become the primary testing ground for European missile defense systems, according to Denys Shtilerman, the chief designer of the defense company Fire Point, during an interview with Army TV on March 9.
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Developers of Ukrainian ballistic missiles are offering to use their test launches to help calibrate radars and interception systems. According to Denys Shtilerman, the exact flight path is known during Ukrainian ballistic tests, which is vital for training missile defense systems.
“When there is a clear trajectory along which a ballistic missile flies, you can train the entire interception system,” he explained.
This process is much more difficult during real combat launches following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The designer noted that it is not possible to train radars on incoming Iskander missiles because their flight patterns are unknown.
Fire Point is proposing that European partners integrate Ukrainian technology into a joint missile defense system. This project is currently named Freya, after the Norse goddess of war.
Under this initiative, Ukrainian missiles could serve as both strike weapons and interceptors for defense systems.
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The missiles also feature composite materials instead of aluminum. This change makes the missiles harder for radars to detect. Denys Shtilerman explained that these composite missiles are significantly less visible than those made of aluminum.
He added that the high number of planned test launches offers a unique chance for partners to practice missile defense in real-world conditions.
The Ukrainian defense company Fire Point recently transitioned from the design phase to the active implementation of a new "deep strike" modification for its FP-2 loitering munition.
Chief designer Denys Shtilerman revealed that the project aimed to extend the drone's operational range while maintaining its heavy 105 kg warhead, which frequently utilizes adapted aviation bombs.
This development follows the successful introduction of the FP-2 platform and the recent live test launch of the FP-7 ballistic missile, signaling a significant expansion of Ukraine's long-range strike capabilities during Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
