Ukraine Deploys New Domestically Built Ballistic Missile in Combat

Ukraine has for the first time used its domestically developed FP-7 tactical ballistic missile in combat, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed Thursday, marking a significant milestone in the country's expanding domestic weapons production. The FP-7, developed by Ukrainian manufacturer Fire Point, has an estimated range of 200-250 kilometers and has been compared to the US ATACMS missile. Missile researcher Fabian Hoffmann warns that initial combat effectiveness may be limited, noting that Fire Point's Flamingo cruise missile took about a year to become effective. Hoffmann says the main challenges ahead are mass production and achieving sufficient precision for military utility. Fire Point is also developing the larger FP-9 missile, which could carry an 800-kilogram warhead up to 850 kilometers, potentially attracting European interest if proven reliable.