Photo: EPA
Ukraine, together with France, the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, Spain, Denmark, the Netherlands, Norway, and Sweden, has announced the creation of the Integrated Anti-Ballistic Coalition, according to a joint declaration published by the Élysée Palace.
Signed in Paris on July 13, the declaration outlines plans to build a unified European missile defense architecture capable of protecting against ballistic missile threats by combining military capabilities, advanced technologies, and the defense industries of participating countries.
The coalition members agreed to jointly develop, manufacture, and integrate next-generation missile interception systems that will operate alongside existing national air and missile defense networks.
"We believe that Europe's security requires a comprehensive solution in the form of an integrated missile defense architecture capable of deterring and countering future ballistic missile threats. It should be built through joint efforts, technological openness, and trusted industrial cooperation," the declaration states.
The signatories emphasized that the initiative is not intended to replace existing European missile defense systems, but rather to connect them into a multilayered architecture that can be expanded and enhanced with new technologies over time.
Ukraine presents its missile defense program
Ahead of the Paris meeting, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that Ukraine would present its own anti-ballistic missile defense program to partner nations.
"Our top priority is anti-ballistic defense. We will present our anti-ballistic program to our partners and, for the first time, bring together heads of state, national security advisers, and representatives of defense companies capable of making a concrete contribution to building a new anti-ballistic system," Zelenskyy said.
The coalition was one of the key outcomes of the latest Coalition of the Willing summit in Paris, where leaders focused on strengthening Europe's missile defense capabilities in response to Russia's ongoing aggression against Ukraine.
Preparations for the initiative had been underway for several months. During the meeting, Ukraine also showcased its Freyja system—developed by Fire Point—as a domestic solution designed to intercept ballistic missiles.
The launch of the Integrated Anti-Ballistic Coalition marks another step in the evolution of the Coalition of the Willing from a political framework toward practical, joint defense projects.
