Ukraine is aiming to develop a prototype of a European anti-ballistic missile defence system, codenamed Freyja, by the first half of 2027 as it seeks stronger protection against Russian missile attacks. The project is being pursued in partnership with European allies and is expected to become a key component of the continent's future air and missile defence architecture. Davyd Aloian, deputy secretary of Ukraine's National Security and Defence Council, said Kyiv wants the Freyja prototype to be ready within the next year. He said the initiative is intended to strengthen Ukraine's ability to intercept ballistic missiles and reduce its dependence on existing defence systems supplied by international partners.

Aloian, who oversees the Freyja project, said an international steering committee responsible for assessing the research and development costs is expected to meet for the first time soon. The committee will examine technical requirements, funding mechanisms and cooperation among participating countries and defence companies before the project moves into its next phase. The proposed system is part of a broader European effort to enhance regional missile defence amid the continuing war in Ukraine. Russian missile and drone strikes have remained a persistent threat to Ukrainian cities and critical infrastructure, prompting Kyiv to seek advanced technologies capable of countering increasingly sophisticated aerial attacks.

The Freyja initiative gained momentum earlier this month when leaders from 10 European countries, including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, met in Paris to formally launch an anti-ballistic missile coalition. Around a dozen defence manufacturers also participated in the summit, signalling growing industrial cooperation on the project. The coalition aims to pool technological expertise and financial resources to develop a European-made missile defence capability. While several NATO countries currently operate systems such as the US-made Patriot, the Freyja project is intended to provide Europe with an additional indigenous capability designed specifically to counter modern ballistic missile threats.

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Ukraine has consistently urged its allies to strengthen air defence support as Russia continues to target military facilities, energy infrastructure and civilian areas with missiles and drones. Western-supplied systems have played a crucial role in protecting major cities, but Ukrainian officials have repeatedly said additional capabilities are needed to address the scale and frequency of attacks. Developing a new anti-ballistic missile system is expected to require extensive testing, coordination among partner nations and significant financial investment. The steering committee's assessment of research and development costs will help determine the project's timeline and funding structure before prototype development progresses.

The Freyja programme also reflects Europe's broader push to expand defence cooperation and reduce reliance on non-European military technologies. Defence analysts say the initiative could strengthen the continent's long-term missile defence capabilities while supporting Ukraine's immediate security needs. If the project proceeds according to schedule, Ukraine expects the first Freyja prototype to be available by mid-2027. Officials believe the system could eventually become an important part of Europe's integrated air defence network, providing enhanced protection against ballistic missile threats as the region continues to face evolving security challenges.

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