Ukraine hopes to begin testing European Freyja ballistic missile defense system this winter, Zelenskyy says
Ukraine hopes to begin testing Freyja, a European ballistic missile defense system being developed with international partners, this winter, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said during a visit to Denmark on November 11.
Speaking at a briefing, Zelenskyy said Ukraine was focused on developing the ability to intercept ballistic missiles but could not complete the project without European assistance.
"I hope that this winter we will test the new, first European anti-ballistic missile system and get results," he said.
The president did not announce a confirmed testing date or say when the system could become operational.
In late October, Zelenskyy said Ukraine had completed its part of the work on Freyja and was waiting for partner countries to finish their contributions.
A European alternative to existing missile defenses
Freyja is being developed through a multinational initiative intended to strengthen Europe's ability to intercept ballistic missiles.
The project is associated with Ukrainian defense manufacturer Fire Point, which has proposed an interceptor based on its FP-7.x missile.
According to previously announced specifications, the interceptor is designed to reach speeds of 1,500–2,000 meters per second and measures 7.25 meters in length.
Fire Point co-owner Denys Shtilerman said in April that the company aimed to develop a less expensive alternative to the US-made Patriot system, targeting an interceptor cost of under $1 million per missile.
Those figures are development targets and announced specifications, not independently verified operational performance.
Ukraine and nine other European countries announced an anti-ballistic missile coalition in July to support the project.
Under the proposed division of work, Ukraine would develop the interceptor missile while European partners would contribute radar systems, sensors and other components.
The project uses an open architecture intended to allow participating countries to integrate their own radars and command-and-control systems.
Ukraine has previously said it hopes to have a Freyja prototype ready in the first half of 2027. Zelenskyy's latest comments suggest that initial testing could begin earlier, although the system's development and deployment timelines remain uncertain.