FP7.X interceptor aims to slash Patriot costs and deliver first hit in 2027

Fire Point, a Ukrainian company, has united 13 industrial partners for Europe's Freyja missile defense project, with CEO Iryna Terekh revealing on Aug. 4 that the company aims to achieve its first successful ballistic missile interception in mid-2027. The FP7.X interceptor is a faster version of Fire Point's existing missile, currently in the process of integration with a guidance system.

Norwegian company Kongsberg is responsible for the command center that will connect all systems. Germany's Diehl Defence, known for its IRIS-T air defense system, is reportedly providing the guidance system, though details remain undisclosed. Fire Point aims to keep the cost of each interceptor below 1 million euros, significantly lower than the Patriot interceptor.

The company has conducted at least five test launches, and plans to use an open architecture, allowing components to be replaced in the future. The number of industrial partners could expand to about 20, enhancing production capacity. Fire Point is also in negotiations with Ukrainian state-owned missile manufacturers, though specific names have not been disclosed.

The project will finance development until the production of a minimum viable product, defined as the first successful interception. An expert from the Norwegian Defence Research Establishment explained that each interceptor needs to hit its target around 40% of the time to maintain a 5% risk of a missile getting through. If Fire Point can maintain the promised price, it would be considered "quite impressive" and "very cheap."

Zelenskyy announced plans for a joint European anti-ballistic missile system in Paris on July 13, with Ukraine prepared to contribute its own interceptor.