Flamingo missile maker plans breakthrough system to rival Patriot and attract UAE investment
Kyiv, Ukraine – Ukrainian defence firm Fire Point, known for its Flamingo cruise missile, is developing a low-cost air defence system aimed at intercepting ballistic missiles for under $1 million per shot, a senior executive told Reuters. The company targets a 2027 launch, offering an alternative to the high-priced, increasingly scarce Patriot system used by the U.S. and its allies.
Denys Shtilierman, Fire Point’s co-founder and chief designer, said the system could be a “game changer” for global air defence. “We plan to intercept the first ballistic missile at the end of 2027,” he said. Fire Point is in discussions with European firms to collaborate on radar, communications, and missile guidance, key areas where the Ukrainian company seeks expertise.
The company also awaits government approval for a $760-million investment by a Middle Eastern conglomerate, identified by local media as Edge Group, which would value Fire Point at $2.5 billion. The investment could open doors for low-orbit satellite launches from the UAE, where Fire Point plans to build a space launch terminal.
Ukraine’s Growing Global Defence Role
Since Russia’s 2022 invasion, Ukraine has become a hub of innovative low-cost defence technology, gaining battlefield experience that fuels global demand. Fire Point, Ukraine’s largest long-range drone manufacturer, produces up to 2,500 drones monthly and hundreds of Flamingo missiles, though engine production bottlenecks have limited output.
Shtilierman highlighted the upcoming FP7 and FP9 missiles. The FP7, with a 300 km range, is set for near-term deployment, while the FP9 can carry an 800 kg warhead up to 850 km, putting Moscow within reach. Analysts note that wider ballistic missile use could stretch Russian air defences already weakened by Ukrainian strikes.
Affordable Defence for a Global Market
Fire Point’s goal is to make air defence more cost-effective than the Patriot system, which typically requires two or three expensive missiles per intercept. If successful, the system could attract strong international demand, particularly from Gulf countries, even if its efficiency is slightly lower than that of existing systems.
In parallel, Fire Point is expanding Flamingo missile production, launching a new in-house engine in October, and bringing a Danish rocket fuel plant online later this year. Meanwhile, the company awaits Ukrainian government approval to begin exports of its drones and missiles.
Source: Reuters