- Category
- Latest news
Ukrainian Company Develops Lower-Cost Alternative to Patriot Air Defense System
- Authors
![Photo of Dariia Mykhailenko]( "Photo of Dariia Mykhailenko")
Ukrainian defense company Fire Point is in talks with European partners to develop a new air defense system aimed at providing a more affordable alternative to the Patriot system, according to Reuters on April 6.
Fire Point, known for producing the Ukrainian cruise missile “Flamingo,” is seeking to significantly reduce the cost of intercepting ballistic threats. Co-founder and chief designer Denys Shtiliierman said the company’s goal is to bring the cost of intercepting a single ballistic missile to under $1 million.
We bring you stories from the ground. Your support keeps our team in the field.
Currently, Ukraine and many Western allies rely heavily on US-made Patriot systems for ballistic missile defense. However, these systems are increasingly difficult to obtain, partly due to their deployment in other regions, including the Persian Gulf, in response to Iranian threats.
Shtiliierman noted that intercepting a single ballistic target with Patriot often requires two or three interceptor missiles, each costing several million dollars.
“If we can decrease it to less than $1 million, it will be ... a game changer in air defense solutions,” he said. “We plan to intercept the first ballistic missile by the end of 2027.”
The company has not disclosed the names of the European firms involved in the negotiations. However, Shtiliierman said Fire Point is “deeply interested” in cooperation in areas such as radar systems, missile guidance, and communications—fields where the company is seeking to strengthen its expertise.
He added that European companies, including Weibel, Hensoldt, SAAB, and Thales, have strong radar capabilities that could support the project.
The initiative aligns with Fire Point’s broader efforts to expand its missile and air defense portfolio. The company has recently unveiled plans for two new ballistic missile systems—FP-7 and FP-9—alongside its work on next-generation air defense solutions, according to Ukrainian outlet Militarnyi.
The FP-7 is designed as a medium-range ballistic missile with a range of up to 200 kilometers and a top speed of 1,500 meters per second. It carries a 150-kilogram warhead and is intended for rapid deployment from ground-based platforms to strike targets at operational distances with a circular error probable of around 14 meters.
The FP-9, a longer-range system, is capable of reaching targets at distances of up to 855 kilometers. It can travel at speeds of up to 2,200 meters per second and carry a significantly larger warhead weighing approximately 800 kilograms, with a flight altitude reaching up to 70 kilometers.
At the same time, it was reported that Fire Point is set to launch a solid rocket fuel production facility in Denmark, according to Danish broadcaster DR.
According to the outlet, the facility will be located near Skrydstrup Air Base, which hosts the Royal Danish Air Force’s F-35 fighter jets. Fire Point has already established a Danish subsidiary, FPRT, registered locally and supported by the launch of its official website.
The site will focus on producing solid rocket fuel, a stable and easily stored propellant that does not require refueling prior to launch and ensures consistent combustion. This type of fuel is also used in Fire Point’s Flamingo missile.
-72b63a4e0c8c475ad81fe3eed3f63729.jpeg "Photo of Cyril Barabaltchouk")
-c439b7bd9030ecf9d5a4287dc361ba31.jpg "Photo of Katherina Popilnichenko")
-111f0e5095e02c02446ffed57bfb0ab1.jpeg "Photo of Roman Kohanets")
