Ukraine’s largest defense company announced its FP-7 ballistic missile will be combat-ready by the end of September, accelerating its deployment timeline by over two years. The missile, a lower-cost analogue to the U.S. ATACMS, can strike targets up to 300 kilometers away with a warhead weighing up to 150 kilograms. CEO Iryna Terekh confirmed final testing and certification are underway, with combat trials expected to begin by the end of the month.
The missile’s introduction addresses Ukraine’s shortage of ballistic interceptors and supports its strategy of targeting Russian oil refineries and missile launchers. Ukrainian officials argue that destroying launchers on Russian soil reduces the number of incoming missiles Ukraine must intercept, shifting the burden from air defense to precision strikes. Analysts suggest this approach could enhance deterrence and pressure Moscow’s war infrastructure.
Ukraine also plans to debut the larger FP-9 missile by late autumn, capable of carrying an 800-kilogram warhead up to 855 kilometers—bringing Moscow within range. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reiterated calls for allies to provide additional air defense systems and long-range weapons, framing the FP-7’s deployment as a step toward forcing Russia to negotiate.
