Nine nations join Ukraine to develop Freyja anti-ballistic missile system within a year

KYIV, Ukraine — Nine nations have joined Ukraine in a new anti-ballistic coalition aimed at accelerating production of Ukraine's Freyja interceptor system and achieving operational capability within a year, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced Monday at a meeting of defense allies in France.

Zelenskyy first outlined the coalition plan at last week's NATO summit in Ankara, where U.S. President Donald Trump pledged to allow Ukraine to build its own Patriot interceptors, acknowledging that Ukraine is "a country that is ready to do this," according to Zelenskyy.

The initiative was launched in response to a global shortage of anti-ballistic interceptors, as the war in Iran and neighboring countries continues into its fifth month and allied nations worldwide seek to replenish their defensive weapons stockpiles.

Founding Members

Nine European countries joined Ukraine as founding members in Paris:

• Denmark
• France
• Germany
• Italy
• The Netherlands
• Norway
• Spain
• Sweden
• The United Kingdom

Joint Statement

"We believe that the protection of Europe requires a global solution of integrated missile defence architecture to deter and defeat future missile threats — developed through collective effort, technological openness, and trusted industrial cooperation," officials wrote in the joint statement formalizing the coalition.

Although the United States has increased Patriot production and Europe has expanded output of the SAMP/T, IRIS-T, and NASAMS surface-to-air missile systems, the gap between demand and supply remains significant.

"By bringing together our defence industrial base, our research, and our operational experience, we aim to build a shared antiballistic missile capacity for Europe and support relevant contributory activities. We do this not against any people, but in defence of our own," the signatories said.

Strategic Importance

For Ukraine, acquiring anti-ballistic capabilities would provide better protection for its cities and frontlines, both of which have increasingly been targeted by Russian ballistic missiles that cannot be intercepted by standard air defenses. It would also reduce Ukraine's complete dependence on allies for this type of support.

For Europe, the coalition offers a fast-tracked solution to address weapons shortages, strengthen defenses at reduced cost, and leverage the battlefield expertise Ukraine has gained over years of full-scale war.

Priorities and Structure

The group's current priorities are to "establish common operational requirements, joint technical working groups, clear governance mechanisms, and a roadmap towards the Coalition's first operational capabilities," the announcement stated.

In social media posts on Monday, Zelenskyy explained why Kyiv and Europe need their own anti-ballistic system.

"The threat of ballistic missiles in the world is only going to increase. This is one of the main consequences of the wars in Russia and Iran," he said. "Therefore, FREYJA must become a reality."

Ukraine will lead the project and supply the interceptor itself, while partner nations will provide the radar, tracking, and command-and-control systems that Ukraine lacks, Zelenskyy said last week.

"Europe needs more protection against ballistic threats. Together, we can create such a system," he said. "It is important to politically confirm that FREYJA is our joint project, serving the interests of all of Europe."

Industry Participation

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and European Council President António Costa also attended Monday's meeting in Paris, alongside representatives from several European defense companies, including:

• Destinus
• Diehl Defence
• Eurosam
• Fire Point
• HENSOLDT
• Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace
• Leonardo
• MBDA
• Saab
• Safran
• Thales
• Weibel Scientific

"Everyone present here is a vital part of what we need to create this system," Zelenskyy said. "I am grateful to the companies for their willingness to work together."

Autonomy and Next Steps

Although the partnership's operational details are still being developed, each country in the coalition will retain a certain degree of autonomy, Zelenskyy said.

"Europeans themselves will be able to decide how many systems Euro..."