Strengthening Air Defense Strategy: Zelensky Calls for European Anti-Ballistic Missile Defense System
To counter Russian missile attacks on energy infrastructure, President Zelensky has urged the creation of a European anti-ballistic missile defense system within a year, while a Ukrainian firm develops a low-cost alternative.
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- 📰 Published: April 20, 2026 at 10:41
- 🔍 Collected: April 20, 2026 at 11:00 (19 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 20, 2026 at 11:31 (31 min after Collected)
Reuters Report: In the Russo-Ukrainian War, defending against ballistic missiles is one of the greatest challenges facing Ukraine. Furthermore, only specific variants of the US "Patriot missile system" interceptors possess the capability to intercept Russian ballistic missiles.
Russia has utilized ballistic missiles to attack Ukraine's energy infrastructure, destroying its thermal power generation and power transmission systems.
Zelensky stated, "I believe, and have constantly argued, that we should establish a European anti-ballistic missile defense system. We are in discussions with multiple countries and working towards this goal."
He added, "We must build our own anti-ballistic missile defense system within a year."
Zelensky noted that this task is extremely difficult but feasible, revealing that discussions have already taken place with major European nations, though he provided no further details.
However, Fire Point, the manufacturer of the Ukrainian cruise missile "Flamingo," told Reuters this month that they are negotiating with European companies and plan to launch a new air defense system next year. This would serve as a low-cost alternative to the increasingly hard-to-acquire Patriot systems.
In response to potential attacks from Iran, a large number of Patriot missile systems have been deployed in the Persian Gulf region, leading to tightening inventories. Meanwhile, the only European anti-ballistic missile system—the SAMP-T air defense system jointly developed by France and Italy—has a relatively limited production output. (Compiled by: Liu Wen-yu) 1150420
Russia has utilized ballistic missiles to attack Ukraine's energy infrastructure, destroying its thermal power generation and power transmission systems.
Zelensky stated, "I believe, and have constantly argued, that we should establish a European anti-ballistic missile defense system. We are in discussions with multiple countries and working towards this goal."
He added, "We must build our own anti-ballistic missile defense system within a year."
Zelensky noted that this task is extremely difficult but feasible, revealing that discussions have already taken place with major European nations, though he provided no further details.
However, Fire Point, the manufacturer of the Ukrainian cruise missile "Flamingo," told Reuters this month that they are negotiating with European companies and plan to launch a new air defense system next year. This would serve as a low-cost alternative to the increasingly hard-to-acquire Patriot systems.
In response to potential attacks from Iran, a large number of Patriot missile systems have been deployed in the Persian Gulf region, leading to tightening inventories. Meanwhile, the only European anti-ballistic missile system—the SAMP-T air defense system jointly developed by France and Italy—has a relatively limited production output. (Compiled by: Liu Wen-yu) 1150420