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Ukraine Enters Air-Launched Ballistic Missile Race With New FP-9 Variant
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![Photo of Ivan Khomenko]( "Photo of Ivan Khomenko")
Ukraine is developing an air-launched ballistic missile (ALBM) derived from its FP-9 system, expanding its long-range strike capabilities, according to statements by Fire Point’s chief designer Denis Shtilerman in a recent interview.
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Shtilerman confirmed that the project builds on the existing FP-9 ballistic missile, which in its ground-launched configuration has a stated range of up to 800 kilometers.
He noted that adapting the system for air launch is expected to significantly extend that range due to the altitude and speed provided by the carrier aircraft.
The air-launched configuration would allow the missile to conserve fuel by avoiding the energy-intensive climb phase typical of ground launches. This enables more efficient forward flight and increases the overall strike distance.
Such systems are designed to be released from aircraft—typically fast jets—before following a ballistic trajectory toward the target. The launch platform remains outside the reach of most air defense systems, while the missile’s high speed and steep descent make interception more difficult compared to cruise missiles.
Fire Point is simultaneously advancing multiple strike systems. The company has already introduced the FP-1 long-range drone and the Flamingo FP-5 cruise missile. Additional ballistic systems, including the FP-7 and FP-9, are in development alongside the air-launched variant, forming a broader family of weapons with different ranges and delivery methods.
The development reflects a broader acceleration of Ukraine’s domestic defense industry since 2022, with an increasing focus on indigenous long-range strike capabilities. A domestically produced ALBM would provide Ukraine with an additional option for engaging targets at extended distances while reducing reliance on foreign-supplied systems.
Air-launched ballistic missiles are not unique to Ukraine. Russia has used the Kh-47M2 Kinzhal in its war against Ukraine, deploying it from MiG-31K aircraft. Israel fields similar systems such as Rampage and Air LORA, while both the United States and China are also developing capabilities in this category.
Earlier, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Ukraine is accelerating efforts to build a domestic air defense system, exploring options ranging from licensing US-made Patriot systems to developing its own alternative.
According to Zelenskyy, the project is being coordinated across the Defense Ministry, military leadership, and private sector, with the goal of creating a long-term solution to protect Ukrainian airspace from ongoing Russian missile and drone attacks.
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-262faae4d455eedee837a1284ad92b72.png "Russian automated mortar module during tests, April 2026. (Source: NRTK)")
