Ukraine Advances FREYJA Missile Initiative

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre met in Oslo with defense industry executives to discuss the implementation of the FREYJA anti-ballistic missile program, according to Ukraine’s presidential office. The September 9 meeting also included Norway’s ministers of defense, foreign affairs and finance.

Representatives from Fire Point, Kongsberg, Weibel, Saab, Diehl Defence, HENSOLDT, Thales, Safran, Sener and Leonardo attended the talks. Ukrainian officials presented progress on the initiative and coordinated next steps with partner governments and defense companies for the coming months.

Zelenskyy said Ukraine has the capacity to develop and manufacture an interceptor missile and launcher, while urging partners to provide the necessary contributions. The discussions also addressed Ukraine’s immediate needs for strengthening its air-defense capabilities.

The FREYJA initiative was launched at a July 13 meeting in Paris, where participating leaders signed a declaration establishing an integrated anti-ballistic missile coalition. Its founding members are Ukraine, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom. Zelenskyy has said the system could provide shared European protection against aerial threats, with initial practical results targeted for late 2026 or early 2027.