Ukraine aims to have a prototype ready for a European anti-ballistic missile defense system called Freyja during the first half of next year, a senior official stated. Kyiv is urging allies to support development of a weapon that can counter Russian missiles effectively.

Davyd Aloian, deputy secretary of Ukraine's National Security and Defense Council who leads the Freyja project, indicated that an international steering committee charged with calculating research and development costs will gather soon for its initial session.

Leaders from 10 European nations, including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, joined roughly a dozen defense manufacturers at a Paris summit two weeks ago to launch the anti-ballistic coalition formally.

Given the compressed schedule, the team holds an ambitious target of delivering a minimum viable product by the first half of next year, Aloian explained. This prototype should showcase initial practical capabilities.

Ukraine relies heavily on US-made Patriot air defense systems, the sole option in its inventory proven to intercept Russian ballistic missiles traveling at multiple times the speed of sound. Patriot deliveries face challenges from political shifts, limited stockpiles, and extended manufacturing timelines.

Russia has intensified ballistic attacks on Kyiv and the southern port of Odesa this month, firing dozens of missiles. Most went unstopped because of interceptor shortages.

Ukraine stands prepared to supply a launcher and interceptor missile for Freyja, which Zelensky called recently a question of testing only. The president expressed hope for the system to become operational within a year.

Kyiv looks to partners for contributions including advanced radars, sensors, and knowledge in missile guidance and control electronics. Participating defense firms include Eurosam, maker of the SAMP-T system, along with Leonardo, Thales, and Saab.

Ukrainian firm Fire Point, developer of the Flamingo cruise missile, will serve as the lead industrial partner. It recently announced a radar supply agreement with German manufacturer Hensoldt for the effort.

Freyja seeks to create a more affordable option than the Patriot, on which many European countries also depend. Other systems such as the Franco-Italian SAMP/T and German IRIS-T have yet to demonstrate success against ballistic missiles.

Zelensky likened the Freyja coalition to Lego, combining components from various defense industry leaders. Manufacturers must design a framework allowing interchangeable parts, Aloian said.

The system follows open architecture principles. If Denmark requests a Freyja setup with a Danish-made Weibel radar, that works. Sweden can select the Saab system without issue, he added.

One proposal under review involves creating a dedicated body, possibly a fund, to manage contributions and secure steady project financing, Aloian noted. Direct business involvement alongside governments should also cut bureaucracy.

The coalition must stay practical instead of political, he emphasized.