A Ukrainian defense company responsible for creating the nation’s Flamingo cruise missile is collaborating with European firms to develop an affordable air defense system, according to a senior company official speaking with Reuters.
Fire Point’s co-founder and chief designer Denys Shtilierman revealed that his company is working to create a budget-friendly alternative to the increasingly scarce Patriot missile defense system, with plans to launch by next year.
As global conflicts in Ukraine and Iran create widespread security concerns, Shtilierman explained that Fire Point wants to reduce the expense of stopping a ballistic missile to under $1 million.
The executive also disclosed that Fire Point is waiting for government clearance on a potential investment from a Middle Eastern business group. This deal would value the company at $2.5 billion and could lead to new ventures, including satellite launches in low Earth orbit.
Ukraine’s battlefield experience fighting Russian military forces has positioned the country as a pioneer in affordable defense technology. Following recent conflicts in the Gulf region, Kiev has used this expertise to establish security partnerships with governments throughout the area.
Numerous Ukrainian defense companies are now looking to export their additional production capacity and capitalize on increased global military spending. Although the government has recently relaxed wartime export limitations, each potential agreement still faces thorough review and requires state authorization.
Ukraine and many Western allies depend heavily on the American-manufactured Patriot system for ballistic missile defense. However, Patriot missiles are becoming increasingly difficult to obtain due to extensive use in Gulf operations against Iranian attacks. Europe’s sole anti-ballistic system, the Italian-French SAMP/T, has limited production numbers.
According to Shtilierman, the Patriot system – built by Raytheon and Lockheed Martin – typically needs two or three defense missiles to destroy a ballistic projectile, with each missile costing several million dollars.
“If we can decrease it to less than $1 million, it will be … a game changer in air defence solutions,” he stated during the interview. “We plan to intercept the first ballistic missile at the end of 2027.”
While Shtilierman refused to identify the European companies participating in development discussions, he said Fire Point is “deeply interested” in partnerships involving radar, missile guidance, and communication systems – technologies where the company needs additional expertise.
He mentioned that European firms such as Weibel, Hensoldt, SAAB and Thales offer strong radar capabilities.
Established following Moscow’s 2022 invasion, Fire Point has become Ukraine’s largest producer of long-range drones used in most attacks deep within Russian territory.
Recently, the company’s FP5 long-range cruise missile – widely called the Flamingo – has struck Russian military installations and weapons factories, including a ballistic missile facility located nearly 1,400 kilometers inside Russian borders.
Shtilierman reported that Fire Point is completing development of two supersonic ballistic missiles. The smaller FP-7 missile, with approximately 300-kilometer range, will see its first military use “in the close future,” he said, comparing it to Lockheed Martin’s ATACMS short-range ballistic system.
The larger FP-9, designed to deliver an 800-kilogram warhead up to 850 kilometers, is entering testing phases and would put Moscow within Ukraine’s ballistic weapon range, he added.
Shtilierman suggested that attacks on Moscow, protected by some of the world’s strongest air defenses, would create a “mass shift in the Russian mind and the mind of top guys in Russia.”
Russia’s defense ministry did not provide comment when contacted.
Fabian Hoffmann, a missile specialist and senior researcher at the Norwegian Defence University College, noted that while Russia has successfully intercepted ATACMS missiles, increased ballistic missile usage could strain Russian air defenses already weakened by Ukrainian attacks.
Although Fire Point’s 2027 timeline for launching a low-cost air defense system appears “ambitious,” Hoffmann said strong government demand would exist beyond Ukraine’s military requirements, even if the system’s effectiveness per missile was lower than the Patriot’s.
Ukraine’s anti-monopoly agency has until approximately October to approve the proposed $760-million purchase of a 30% Fire Point stake by the Middle Eastern investor, Shtilierman explained.
Ukrainian news outlets have named the potential buyer as Emirati defense company Edge Group. Neither Edge Group nor Ukraine’s anti-monopoly authorities responded to requests for comment.
This investment would initiate a project to construct a space launch facility in the UAE, ultimately aiming to establish a network of low-orbit European satellites. Shtilierman noted that the country’s proximity to the Indian Ocean and geographic conditions favor space launches.
“We built a carbon winding machine, which allows us to wind a big solid rocket booster for satellite delivery,” he explained, adding that while the project remains conceptual, agreements exist “with a couple of Western companies.”
Whether or not the UAE agreement moves forward, Shtilierman said Fire Point would avoid additional investors until demonstrating success with its missile defense system, which will utilize the company’s FP7 missile.
Fire Point has received inquiries from Gulf nations regarding purchases of existing drone products and awaits Ukrainian government approval to begin exports. Shtilierman stated the company can export up to 2,500 long-range drones monthly.
However, exporting the Flamingo missile faces greater challenges due to regulatory obstacles, he noted.
Fire Point reports producing hundreds of long-range strike drones daily, each costing approximately 50,000 euros ($57,775), plus three Flamingo missiles at roughly 600,000 euros each. He acknowledged certain “bottleneck” problems with Flamingo production, particularly engine manufacturing.
Fire Point will boost Flamingo production when a new internal engine begins mass production in October and a rocket fuel facility in Denmark becomes operational later this year, he said. The Danish plant awaits two final government approvals.
