Ukraine's missile ambitions: Aiming for strategic independence
Ukrainians are working on a project that's part of a larger strategy to gain independence from foreign military aid. This involves the Trembita missile family, with one of the larger models expected to have a range capable of reaching Moscow.
Ukraine is advancing its rocket technology, focusing on the Trembita project, which aims to develop a missile capable of reaching Moscow. According to The Economist, Trembita is a modern adaptation of the pulse jet engine used in the German Fieseler Fi-103 (V-1) bomb in 1944.
A new era for the Ukrainian rocket industry
The basic version of the new missile is expected to reach speeds of up to 400 km/h and cover a distance of 190 km. At the same time, Ukrainians are working on a more advanced model capable of reaching Moscow. Serial production is set to begin after the completion of field tests. The Economist notes that the development of this project took just a year and a half.
Challenges and perspectives
The Ukrainian news agency Unian reports that Ukraine is focusing on developing its defence industry amid uncertainty about future foreign aid. It also notes that Ukrainians are currently producing ammunition, among other things, in underground bunkers to protect themselves from Russian attacks.
Cooperation with Western partners, such as Denmark and the United Kingdom, also remains crucial for Ukraine. This collaboration allows the industry to scale production, and missile production in Ukraine could be significantly less expensive than in Western Europe.
The future of the Trembita project
Ukraine needs at least a year to produce missiles in quantities that could pose a real threat to Russia. Although many details about the new Trembita missile family remain confidential, the cost of a single unit is known. According to the Unian agency's portal, a model with approximately a 25-kilogram warhead is priced at around $15,000, which is considered a "bargain in the world of missiles. "
It's worth mentioning that Ukrainians already have weapons with a range that allows them to target Moscow. These include mainly drones, such as the unmanned Bobr drones, which have a range of about 1,000 km, reaching speeds of 200 km/h, while their take-off mass is several dozen kilograms. The Ukrainian arsenal also includes the Sokół-300 drone, developed since 2022, which can hit targets up to 3,300 km away. Its wingspan reaches 14 metres, while its fuselage can carry an explosive payload weighing 300 kilograms.
