Ukrainian Firm Develops Low-Cost Anti-Ballistic System

Ukrainian defense firm Fire Point is developing a low-cost anti-ballistic air defense system aimed at providing an affordable alternative to the U.S.-made Patriot, with plans to intercept its first ballistic missile by the end of 2027, company cofounder and chief designer Denys Shtilierman said in an interview this week.

The system, which Fire Point intends to base on its existing FP7 missile platform, seeks to reduce interception costs to below 1 million euros per ballistic projectile. Current systems like the Patriot, produced by Raytheon and Lockheed Martin, often require two or three missiles costing several million dollars each to neutralize a single threat, Shtilierman noted. "If we can decrease it to less than 1 million, it will be a game changer in air defense solutions," he said. The company is in discussions with unnamed European firms to collaborate on key components, including radar, targeting and communications technology. Shtilierman highlighted expertise from companies such as Weibel, Hensoldt, SAAB and Thales in these areas, where Fire Point lacks depth.

Founded in the wake of Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine, Fire Point has emerged as a major producer of...