Speaking with journalists, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy revealed that while Ukraine has the blueprint for this high-tech defense shield, it cannot deploy it quickly without immediate backing from international allies, News.Az reports, citing RBC-Ukraine.
Zelenskyy described Freya as a “European” initiative under Ukrainian leadership. Designed to rival the American-made Patriot system, Freya’s biggest advantage is its affordability. The goal is to create a highly effective system tailored for mass production at a fraction of the current market cost.
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However, time is a luxury Ukraine doesn’t have. “We can do it ourselves. But it will take years,” Zelenskyy admitted, pointing to the agonizingly long waiting lists and limited global production of existing systems like the Patriot and SAMP/T.
While Ukraine has already developed the core missile technology, a fully operational defense system requires an intricate network of radars, launchers, and command units. To bridge the gap, Ukraine is looking to a coalition of eight specific countries that possess the manufacturing power to supply these critical components.
The project is moving fast behind the scenes, with a high-level summit scheduled in France to pitch the Freya project to capable allies. If partners sign on in the coming weeks, Zelenskyy believes it will trigger a massive breakthrough for European defense.
In tandem with the Freya project, Ukraine is also pushing the U.S. for a license to manufacture Patriot systems domestically, aiming to secure its skies from every possible angle.
