Paris: Ukraine and nine European countries have joined forces to create a new coalition aimed at improving protection against ballistic missile attacks, marking one of the most significant defence initiatives announced in Europe since the start of Russia's full scale invasion of Ukraine.
The new anti ballistic missile coalition was unveiled during a meeting of the Coalition of the Willing in Paris, where Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with leaders from across Europe. The initiative is designed to strengthen Europe's ability to defend itself against increasingly sophisticated missile threats while also providing Ukraine with improved long term security.
The coalition brings together Ukraine, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Denmark, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain and Sweden. Leaders said the partnership will remain open to other countries that wish to participate in developing a stronger European missile defence network.
The announcement comes as Russia continues to carry out large scale missile and drone attacks across Ukraine. In recent months, Moscow has increased its use of ballistic missiles, which travel at extremely high speeds and are much more difficult to intercept than cruise missiles or drones. Ukrainian officials have repeatedly warned that defending against such attacks requires more advanced air defence systems and a steady supply of interceptor missiles.
European leaders said the new coalition will focus on building a coordinated anti ballistic missile defence system that can better protect both Ukraine and Europe from future threats. The partners plan to combine their military expertise, research capabilities and defence industries to develop more effective and affordable interceptor missiles.
One of the coalition's main goals is to reduce Europe's dependence on imported missile defence systems by strengthening its own defence manufacturing capacity. Officials believe that greater cooperation between European defence companies will help speed up the production of modern missile defence technologies while improving the continent's long term security.
Ukraine is expected to play a leading role in the initiative because of its extensive battlefield experience. Since the war began, Ukrainian forces have gained valuable knowledge in detecting, tracking and intercepting Russian missiles using a combination of Western supplied air defence systems and locally developed technologies. European governments believe this experience can help shape the design of future missile defence systems.
President Zelenskyy welcomed the coalition, saying Ukraine's real world experience and Europe's industrial strength could work together to create a more effective shield against ballistic missile attacks. He said the partnership would benefit not only Ukraine but also the wider European region as security threats continue to evolve.
According to officials involved in the discussions, one of the key projects under the coalition is the development of a new missile defence programme known as Freyja. The proposed system is intended to provide Europe with a modern anti ballistic missile capability that can complement existing systems such as the United States made Patriot missile defence network.
The Freyja project is expected to involve more than a dozen European defence companies working together on research, development and production. Although some officials have expressed hope that the first operational capability could be achieved within about a year, defence experts caution that building and deploying a complete missile defence system will require significant investment and several years of testing.
The Paris meeting also resulted in additional defence commitments for Ukraine. France announced plans to deepen military cooperation with Kyiv, including expanding joint missile production and continuing the supply of advanced air defence equipment. European leaders also reaffirmed their commitment to supporting Ukraine while maintaining pressure on Russia through diplomatic and economic measures.
The anti ballistic missile coalition forms part of the broader Coalition of the Willing, led by France and the United Kingdom. The wider group is working on long term security arrangements for Ukraine, increasing defence cooperation among European nations and preparing plans to help maintain stability if a future ceasefire agreement is reached.
Security analysts say the creation of the coalition reflects a major shift in European defence policy. The war in Ukraine has highlighted the growing threat posed by ballistic missiles and exposed Europe's reliance on non European missile defence systems. By investing in a shared missile defence programme, European governments hope to strengthen their own capabilities while ensuring they are better prepared for future security challenges.
As the conflict in Ukraine continues with no immediate end in sight, the new coalition represents another step in Europe's effort to build a stronger and more coordinated defence against evolving missile threats while reinforcing long term support for Ukraine.