Ukraine wants homegrown missiles capable of striking deep inside Russia, including Moscow, but its existing ‘Flamingos’ show how hard mass production can be

Ukraine is seeking to develop its own missiles capable of striking deep within Russia, including targets like Moscow, according to a September 11 report by Fire Point, Ukraine's leading manufacturer of long-range strike weapons. The company claims it could produce up to three new medium-range missiles, the FP-9, per day with sufficient funding, potentially significantly enhancing Ukraine's ability to target Russian military installations.

However, Ukraine's current missile program faces significant challenges. The company has encountered issues with production organization, particularly securing engines, and the effectiveness of the new ballistic missiles in combat against Russian air defenses remains uncertain. Ukraine's reliance on missiles is driven by the limitations of drones, which while inexpensive and easily producible, suffer from low speed, limited payload, and vulnerability to air defenses.

Drones' small warheads and slow speed render them ineffective against reinforced structures and against the high-cost Russian air defense systems.

Ukraine's need for missiles is underscored by the financial strain of the war and the high costs of drone production. The Ukrainian military budget shortfall of $27 billion necessitates substantial Western support. While Russia is investing heavily in drone production, Ukraine requires a diverse arsenal of missiles with varying ranges and payloads to effectively strike military targets in Russia.

This includes short-range weapons for targets behind Russian lines and medium-range weapons to reach deep into enemy territory. Despite Western countries' capacity to provide such weapons, the decision to supply Ukraine rests with these nations, not the Ukrainian government.