Ukraine says it used domestically made FP-7 ballistic missile in combat for first time

Ukraine deployed its FP-7 tactical ballistic missile in combat for the first time, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Thursday, 1 October, writing on Telegram: “Ukrainian tactical ballistic missile FP-7. First combat use… Thank you for the result. Next — production,” Reuters reported.

What was disclosed

Zelenskiy did not say where the FP-7 had been used or against what target. Ukrainian military analysts describe the FP-7 as a short-range missile with a range of about 200 kilometres (125 miles). Manufacturer Fire Point says it is also being developed as a ballistic interceptor within the European missile-defence programme Freyja launched this year. Analysts have likened the FP-7 to the US Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS), some of which have already been transferred to Ukraine, while noting the domestically made missile is considerably cheaper. Fire Point is also developing an FP-9 with a claimed range of up to 850 km, which company officials said should be ready by the end of the year.

Context

Russia frequently uses ballistic missiles against Ukrainian targets; Kyiv has viewed developing its own tactical ballistic missiles as important after more than four years of full-scale war. Ukraine’s missile production remains well behind Russia’s, Reuters noted, as Kyiv prepares for an expected sustained Russian assault into winter. Ukraine and Western allies announced an air-defence coalition in July to proceed with Freyja, aiming for a cheaper alternative to the US Patriot system.