Ukraine is developing a new air defense system called Freya
Ukrainian developers are working on a new air defense system called Freya, designed to intercept ballistic missiles and operate independently of other countries. At the same time, development is underway on the FP-9 ballistic missile system, which is being touted as a key element in future deterrence against Russia. This was revealed by Denis Shtilerman, co-owner and chief designer of Fire Point.
Ukraine wants to create its own anti-ballistic shield that will not depend on the decisions of other states or manufacturers. This refers to the Freya system—a new Ukrainian air defense project designed to protect the country from ballistic missiles while giving Ukrainians full control over the system.
This was stated by Denis Shtilerman, co-owner and chief designer of Fire Point. According to him, the war has highlighted the main problem of modern security: even the most expensive foreign system does not guarantee independence if the country does not have full control over it. “We are currently at war, and it is very important for us to develop projects that will not only enable us to win but also to get through the coming winter safely,” Shteilerman explained.
According to him, Freya is being developed as an open-architecture system. This means that no external party will be able to remotely restrict its operation or influence it through software.
The developer says that dependence on foreign technologies is one of the main problems facing many countries today. As an example, he cited Qatar, which spent about $20 billion on American Patriot systems but still remained dependent on its partners’ decisions. “You can invest billions in your own security, but if the system can be shut down without your control—that’s no longer complete security,” he noted.
Stilerman emphasized that Ukraine wants to create a system that neither the manufacturer nor the supplier country can shut down. That is why Freya must be based on Ukrainian solutions and its own ballistic target interceptor.
According to the designer, the project is significant not only for Ukraine. It is viewed as a potential foundation for a future pan-European anti-ballistic shield. Separately, Stilerman also spoke about another area of work—the FP-9 ballistic system. In his words, it is intended to serve as a deterrent against Russia.
He explained that the idea is not only about defense but also about creating a balance where the enemy understands the consequences of strikes on Ukrainian infrastructure. “We can strike many targets simultaneously, and then a principle may emerge: you don’t touch our civilian infrastructure—we don’t touch yours,” he stated.
Shtilerman emphasized that modern warfare has long gone beyond conventional artillery or frontline battles. Countries that lack their own air defense systems and deterrence technologies automatically become dependent on allies and the decisions of other states.
That is precisely why Ukraine is now focusing on developing its own defense systems, even amid the complex situation and the war. According to the developers, this should provide the country not only with security but also with full technological sovereignty in the defense sector in the future.
Representatives from Iran and Qatar held talks on the parameters of a future peace agreement with the U.S. However, Iran has already stated that reaching such an agreement is not yet inevitable or close to being signed.
