Development of the Freyja interceptor, as part of an anti-ballistic coalition involving 10 countries, is progressing at an accelerated pace. The first interception of a ballistic target is planned for mid-2027.
FirePoint Chief Executive Iryna Terekh said this during a defence and space summit in Brussels, Ukrinform reports.
According to her, Freyja is intended to become a European anti-ballistic air defence system. The project envisages creating an anti-ballistic shield that will operate on principles different from those of the US Patriot system.
"Patriot is an absolutely excellent, technologically advanced system, one of the best in the world, but it was never designed for the number of threats we are facing now," Terekh noted.
The system is being developed with a focus on affordability, scalability and independence from foreign suppliers. According to the FirePoint chief executive, Freyja’s components should be inexpensive, reproducible and made largely from European parts that are not subject to ITAR restrictions and do not contain Chinese components.
Development is being carried out on an accelerated schedule using data from real combat operations in Ukraine. In particular, Freyja’s algorithms will integrate information on Russian Iskander missiles and North Korean missiles that have been used against Ukraine.
"We expect to carry out the first interception of a ballistic target by the middle of next year, which means compressing a 40-year programme into just over two years," Terekh said.
At the same time, she stressed that Freyja will not be able to replace Patriot immediately, as the programme requires further development.