The building, which had already survived the Great Patriotic War, was badly damaged by the missile, with workers scrambling to save the artworks inside — Freyja is intended to strengthen Ukraine's defences as Russian ballistic missile attacks strain supplies of existing interceptors (Picture: Emergency services of Ukraine)

Ukraine

UK joins 10-country push to develop new anti-ballistic missile shield for Ukraine

14th July 2026 at 5:01pm

The UK has joined Ukraine and eight other European countries in an effort to develop an anti-ballistic missile system, using technology and expertise from across the continent.

The Integrated Anti-Ballistic Missile Coalition was launched in Paris by Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Ukraine and the UK.

Its flagship project will focus on Freyja, a proposed missile and air defence system which Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky believes could be developed within the next 12 months.

The new system is intended to work alongside existing ballistic missile defences, including the US-made Patriot.

missiles over Ukraine — Ukraine has repeatedly appealed for more air defence missiles as Russia continues large-scale attacks using ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and drones (Picture: BFBS)

A European-backed system

The Freyja programme was presented during the coalition's inaugural meeting.

The project is expected to combine Ukrainian work on an interceptor missile with radars and other technology produced by European defence companies.

Freyja is intended to supplement existing defences rather than replace systems such as the US-made Patriot or the Franco-Italian SAMP/T.

Companies represented at the meeting included MBDA, Thales, Saab, Leonardo, Eurosam, Diehl Defence, Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace and Ukraine's Fire Point.

US Patriot weapons system being fired — Freyja would supplement Patriot and other established air defence systems (Picture: US Department of War)

Aster production in Ukraine

Alongside the longer-term Freyja project, France and Italy have authorised licensed production of Aster 30 interceptor missiles in Ukraine.

The missile is used by the SAMP/T air-defence system, and the countries said work should begin as soon as possible and before the end of 2026.

Ukraine also intends to order four next-generation SAMP/T systems. France will provide two SAMP/T systems during their production, which will later be returned once the new equipment is delivered.

A GF300 radar, described as the first component of the new systems, is due to reach Ukraine before the end of 2026. Further modules are expected to follow from 2027.