Zelenskyy plans winter test of Europe’s first FREYJA missile defense system

At a briefing with Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen in Copenhagen, Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Ukraine hopes to test Europe’s first ballistic missile defense system this winter. He pointed to a global shortage of interceptor missiles and their sharply increased prices.

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Ukraine hopes to test Europe’s first ballistic missile defense system, FREYJA, this winter. He made the remarks on November 11 at a joint briefing with Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen in Copenhagen, UNIAN reported.

“With FREYJA, we are trying to focus on a ballistic missile defense system. We cannot work on this project alone. We are very grateful to Danish industry and our other partners. I hope that this winter we will test the new, first European ballistic missile defense system,” Zelenskyy said. He added that he hoped for a successful outcome because such a system “is needed by all of us.”

Zelenskyy inspects equipment samples during a visit to Copenhagen

Shortage of Patriot interceptors

Asked how important the project’s success would be as an alternative to the US Patriot system, Zelenskyy expressed respect for American partners but pointed to a major global shortage of ballistic missile interceptors. He said US industry does not produce enough Patriot interceptor missiles even for its own needs and those of Middle Eastern countries.

“It is unfortunate that Europe has a major shortage of ballistic missile defense systems and missiles,” the president said. He also highlighted their prices: “The price is very high. Because of wars around the world, it has increased several times over.”

Zelenskyy noted that France is working on a ballistic missile defense version of the SAMP/T system: “We wish them success. It will be useful. But Europe currently has no strong, affordable ballistic missile defense system that will operate at 100%.”

Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Mette Frederiksen in Copenhagen

Coalition of more than 10 countries

The ballistic missile defense coalition was established in Paris on July 13. It includes Ukraine, France, the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, Norway, Denmark, Sweden, the Netherlands, Spain and other countries. Thales, Hensoldt, Diehl Defence, Saab, Kongsberg, MBDA, Eurosam and Safran are participating in its development. UNIAN reported that the FREYJA prototype is scheduled to be ready in the first half of 2027, while Zelenskyy said Ukraine needs around 100 such systems to protect its skies.

That same day, Zelenskyy met with King Frederik X of Denmark, Crown Prince Christian and Mette Frederiksen, as well as around 70 representatives of Danish companies. The Office of the President of Ukraine said some of them produce components for the future FREYJA system. The previous day, Denmark allocated a new defense package worth €645 million to Ukraine.

Photo: Office of the President of Ukraine. Sources: UNIAN, RBC-Ukraine, Office of the President of Ukraine.

Zelenskyy plans winter test of Europe’s first FREYJA missile defense system