Ukraine Debuts FP-7 Missile in Combat as FP-9 Nears 850-Km Milestone
Ukraine has conducted its first combat launch of the domestically produced FP-7 tactical ballistic missile, marking a significant milestone in Kyiv’s independent strike capabilities. President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed the use of the weapon on October 1, 2026, following a rapid development cycle led by defense company Fire Point. While the FP-7, with a range of up to 200-300 kilometers, is now operational, the longer-range FP-9, capable of reaching 850 kilometers, is in its final testing stages. Fire Point CEO Iryna Terekh stated that the FP-9 is expected to be ready by the end of autumn 2026, potentially allowing strikes on targets such as Moscow. The development of these systems has cost approximately $200 million for the FP-7 alone, highlighting the high financial and technical barriers to indigenous ballistic missile production.