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Leading European defense companies have joined the newly established Anti-Ballistic Coalition aimed at developing the FREYJA missile defense system, according to an explanation published by National Security and Defense Council Secretary Rustem Umerov, UATV English reports.
The coalition was launched on July 13 in France by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy together with the leaders of partner countries to strengthen Europe’s ability to counter growing ballistic missile threats.
According to Umerov, ten countries have already joined the initiative: Ukraine, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom. The coalition remains open to additional countries willing to participate.
The industrial partnership includes several of Europe’s leading defense manufacturers: Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace, Thales, Safran, MBDA, Eurosam, Saab, Diehl Defence, Weibel Scientific, Fire Point, HENSOLDT, Sener and Leonardo.
The statement says the project is driven by Russia’s increasing use of ballistic missiles against Ukrainian cities and the growing missile technology cooperation between Russia, Iran and North Korea, creating security threats for Europe as a whole.
The coalition will operate on three levels—political, governmental and industrial—with participating countries jointly defining system requirements, conducting research, developing and manufacturing new technologies, testing capabilities and integrating them into operational service.
Umerov highlighted that companies which previously competed with one another are now combining their technologies and expertise to build a common European missile defense capability.
Under the project, Ukraine will contribute one of the key components of the future system by developing the anti-ballistic interceptor missile, while European partners will provide advanced radars, sensors and other critical technologies.
The resulting FREYJA system is intended to complement, rather than replace, existing air and missile defense systems by creating an integrated European anti-ballistic shield capable of strengthening the protection of both Ukraine and Europe more quickly, efficiently and cost-effectively.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said demand for protection against ballistic missiles already exceeds existing capabilities and expressed confidence that the FREYJA system could become operational within approximately one year.
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