WATCH: Ukraine’s Fire Point Tests Missile for Homegrown Anti-Ballistic Shield as Air Defense Shortages Bite

Ukrainian arms maker Fire Point said it has successfully tested a missile that could become the backbone of the country’s first domestically developed anti-ballistic interceptor system amid a persistent shortage of foreign air defense missiles.

Fire Point, which manufactures Ukraine’s Flamingo cruise missiles, released footage on Wednesday showing a test flight of its FP-7.X missile, a platform the company plans to use for its future FREYJA anti-ballistic defense system.

The video, published by Fire Point Chief Technology Officer Iryna Terekh, showed what she described as a fully controlled maneuvering flight conducted just days ago.

“No matter how unrealistic and ambitious this goal may sound today, we are exerting all possible and impossible efforts to make it a reality as soon as possible, so that Ukraine can close its skies on its own,” Terekh wrote.

The test comes amid growing strain on Ukraine’s air defenses due to persistent Russian attacks and interceptor shortages.

Fire Point first announced in April that it aims to deliver a ballistic missile defense capability by 2027. The company has positioned FREYJA as a lower-cost alternative to the US-made Patriot system, with interceptor missiles expected to cost less than $1 million each.

According to company specifications, the FP-7.X interceptor is designed to fly at speeds of 1,500-2,000 meters per second (4,921-6,562 feet per second) and measures 7.25 meters (24 feet) in length.

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Earlier versions of the missile were tested in February, when Fire Point said the system was intended to engage medium-range aerial threats.

Air defense gaps

The development comes as Ukraine’s military leadership continues to warn of critical air defense gaps.

Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrsky recently said Ukraine lacks sufficient modern air defense systems and interceptor missiles, stressing the need to use available resources more efficiently while securing additional support from allies.

President Volodymyr Zelensky has also appealed directly to US President Donald Trump and the US Congress, warning of a critical shortage of air defense capabilities and requesting additional Patriot PAC-3 missiles and air defense systems.

Following Zelensky’s appeal, Ukraine’s ambassador to the United States, Olha Stefanishyna, said Kyiv is prepared to finance additional Patriot air defense systems and interceptor missiles if Washington agrees to supply them.

In a latest development, Zelensky said on Wednesday, June 3, that Ukrainian officials have one week to finalize outstanding legal, financial and technical issues related to the purchase of additional Patriot air defense systems, warning that delays could lead to personnel consequences.

Speaking after a meeting with defense, foreign policy and security officials, Zelensky said a political agreement to buy the systems has already been reached, but implementation has stalled.