Ukraine's FP-7 ballistic missile to be combat-ready by end of September
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Ukraine's domestically-made FP-7 ballistic missile will be ready for combat by the end of September, according to Fire Point CEO Iryna Terekh. The missile can strike targets up to 300 kilometers away and was previously expected no earlier than the end of 2026. The accelerated timeline comes as Kyiv seeks to counter Russia's ballistic missile attacks and expand its long-range strike capabilities.
Key Facts
- Fire Point's FP-7 ballistic missile has a range of up to 186 miles (300 kilometers) depending on warhead weight, which can reach 331 pounds (150 kilograms).
- CEO Iryna Terekh announced the FP-7's first combat use is expected at the end of September during the DALO Industry Days arms show in Denmark.
- The missile was previously expected to be combat-ready no earlier than the end of 2026.
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called for a solution to Russia's 'ballistic terror' during his annual independence day speech on Monday.
Missile Capabilities
The FP-7 is a lower-cost analogue of the U.S.-made ATACMS, according to company representatives. It can strike targets up to 186 miles (300 kilometers) away, with a warhead weighing up to 331 pounds (150 kilograms). The missile is currently undergoing final tests to receive certification and proceed to combat trials. CEO Iryna Terekh stated that 'not much preparation remains' before the missile's first combat use.
Strategic Rationale
Ukrainian officials and military strategists say producing ballistic missiles offers three forms of relief: striking launchers, holding Russian cities at risk, and gaining leverage in negotiations. With interceptors running low globally, destroying launchers on Russian soil reduces the number of missiles Ukraine must intercept. An Atlantic Council brief published earlier this month argued that fielding both missiles would 'significantly enhance Kyiv's ability to strike Russian missile launch and production sites.' Ukrainian officials and company spokespeople hope that bringing ballistic warfare to Russian soil will push Moscow back to the negotiating table.
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Ukraine's FP-7 ballistic missile to be combat-ready by end of September
