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Only a handful of countries have successfully developed both indigenous ballistic missiles and anti-ballistic missile systems, but Ukraine believes it can join that group within the next few years.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he had chaired a meeting on the development of Ukraine's ballistic missile program and the progress of the FREYJA missile defense initiative. Officials briefed him on current needs and the implementation timeline.
According to Zelenskyy, Ukraine already possesses the scientific expertise and technical capabilities needed to achieve these goals, while the country's defense industry has reached the required level of development.
"Only a very small number of countries have managed to develop both their own ballistic missiles and anti-ballistic systems. Ukraine has this capability. Ukrainian scientists and engineers have the necessary expertise, and our weapons manufacturers have already reached the required level. We expect to achieve the necessary results during 2026–2027," Zelenskyy said.
The president added that the meeting established a timetable and assigned responsibility for accelerating key elements of both programs.
Participants also discussed major challenges, including access to critical components, expanding technological cooperation with international partners, and increasing domestic production.
"FREYJA is moving forward, and that is important," Zelenskyy noted.
The meeting also covered cooperation with partner countries on Patriot PAC-2 and PAC-3 missiles. Zelenskyy said he expects Ukraine's Foreign Ministry and Defense Ministry to deliver concrete results in negotiations with allies.
Earlier, one of Zelenskyy's advisers said Russia is capable of launching around 100 ballistic missiles per month against Ukraine, warning that attacks on businesses, logistics hubs, and industrial facilities are likely to continue.
The president has also suggested that Ukraine may be receiving fewer air defense missiles because some Western partners are trying to make Kyiv "more accommodating" in negotiations.
