KIELCE, Poland — The Freyja anti-ballistic missile program is progressing through intensive technology integration rather than “flashy” public milestones, according to Fire Point CEO Iryna Terekh, who said more partner onboarding is imminent.
Speaking on the sidelines of the MSPO defense exhibition, Terekh said the 10-nation initiative is focused on selecting the strongest vendors and integrating systems to intercept ballistic targets, while avoiding dependence on any single supplier. She described the task as choosing “the best players in the market” and tailoring the overall architecture for mission performance.
Fire Point serves as the main system integrator for Freyja, with its FP-7X missile designated as the interceptor. The company is targeting a unit cost of 1 million dollars. Full-scale mock-ups of the FP-1 long-range drone, FP-5 Flamingo cruise missile, and FP-7 and FP-9 ballistic missiles were displayed at the show.
Terekh said she had just returned from a Freyja steering group session co-led by Norway and Ukraine, with participation from industry executives. She noted that significant technical work has been completed since the anti-ballistic coalition was signed in Paris, adding that while progress may not be outwardly visible, the approach is yielding early results.
Freyja anti-ballistic missile testing and suppliers
Partners are preparing for Freyja’s “zero test” by the end of the year, Terekh said. In parallel, the program is advancing supplier selection to broaden its industrial base. She emphasized the importance of sustained operability and resilience in air defense procurement, underscoring the need to avoid kill switches or proprietary lock-in to any specific vendor.
In August, Fire Point reached more than a dozen agreements with European defense companies to provide radar, guidance and other systems for Freyja, according to public statements. Discussing collaboration with European firms, Terekh said she prioritizes partners that work with the urgency demanded by Ukraine’s situation, noting there is no margin for delays.
Separately from industrial planning, Fire Point said on Wednesday that Ukrainian forces conducted the deepest strike into Russia since the war began using company products. In a Telegram post, the firm said two FP-1 drones traveled more than 3,200 kilometers to hit gas facilities in northwestern Siberia, a strike similar in scope to the operation described in Novy Urengoy drone strike marks Ukraine’s deepest hit.
The 10-nation initiative is unfolding against the backdrop of wider European debate over air and missile defense, including funding decisions such as the EU weighs funding for Ukraine Patriot missiles purchase. The Freyja steering group co-led by Norway and Ukraine is also coordinating with national defense authorities, including Norway’s Ministry of Defence, to align industrial contributions with operational needs.
Fire Point’s growing role in air and missile defense comes as allied militaries seek faster threat detection and response, complementing initiatives like the NATO integrated air and missile defense architecture and projects pursued by the U.S. Department of Defense.