Photo: Fire Point
Co-founder of the Ukrainian missile manufacturer Fire Point, Denys Shtilerman, said Ukraine is moving to test strikes using its domestically developed FP-7 ballistic missiles against targets in Russia.
In an interview with 24 Kanal, he noted that the initial flight test has already taken place. A video of the launch was published by the company in late February on X.
“There has already been a flight,” Shtilerman said. “Now we are moving to testing on our ‘dear’ neighbors.”
The FP-7 missile is positioned as a Ukrainian analogue of the ATACMS, but at roughly half the cost. According to Shtilerman, the high price of ballistic missiles is often driven by regulatory and certification requirements imposed on military technology companies. In Ukraine, however, authorities simplified the process for domestic manufacturers by allowing such weapons to be codified as UAV systems, reducing development costs.
The FP-7 has a strike range of up to 300 km, depending on the weight of the warhead, although it is not as compact as its American counterpart. Shtilerman also said that Fire Point manufactures nearly all components of the missile itself, except for the warhead, which is produced separately on order.
Earlier, Arsen Zhumadilov said the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine is purchasing domestically produced anti-aircraft missiles for air defense needs. He did not specify whether these are entirely new developments or upgraded Soviet-era systems, but noted that existing missiles are continuously modernized, refined, and tested.
