Ukraine deploys domestic FP-7 ballistic missile in combat for the first time

First combat deployment

Ukrainian armed forces deployed the domestically produced FP-7 tactical ballistic missile in combat for the first time on 1 October 2026. President Volodymyr Zelenskiy announced the operational launch on social media alongside video footage showing the missile firing. The announcement did not disclose the geographical location of the launch, the targeted site, or the damage resulting from the strike. Ukraine has prioritized domestic ballistic missile development to counter frequent Russian ballistic missile attacks and strikes on civilian infrastructure across the country. Zelenskiy stated that following this initial operational test, the primary objective for Ukraine is transitioning the missile into mass production.

Zelenskiy confirmed the deployment in a statement on Telegram.

Ukrainian tactical ballistic missile FP-7. First combat use. Thank you for the result. Next - production.

Specifications and domestic production

The FP-7 tactical ballistic missile, colloquially called Pelican, was developed by Ukrainian private defense firm Fire Point. The company manufactures all missile components in-house, ranging from rocket motors to flight control and guidance hardware. Denis Shtilerman, founder and chief designer of Fire Point, positioned the weapon as a domestic substitute for the American Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) that costs roughly half as much to produce. Sources describe the weapon as a short-range missile, though published specifications vary, with some reports citing a range of up to 200 kilometers with a payload capacity of up to 150 kilograms, and others stating a maximum range of up to 300 kilometers. Beyond ballistic weaponry, Fire Point manufactures long-range strike drones and the FP-5 Flamingo cruise missile.

Development timeline and test program

Ukraine officially unveiled the development programs for the FP-7 and the longer-range FP-9 missile in September 2025. The FP-7 carried out its maiden test launch in February 2026, followed by testing through the first half of 2026. In August 2026, Fire Point chief executive Iryna Terekh stated that the weapon had completed approximately 15 test launches and was entering final codification with the Ukrainian Ministry of Defence. Zelenskiy affirmed in August that Ukraine had no manufacturer closer to ballistic technology than Fire Point, forecasting combat use by autumn. Terekh stated on 11 September that the system could begin combat operations within weeks, while targeting late autumn 2026 for the combat deployment of the FP-9, which has a range of up to 850 kilometers.

Integration into the European Freyja initiative

Fire Point is also adapting the FP-7 platform for anti-ballistic air defense roles within broader European initiatives. In July 2026, Ukraine launched the FREYJA missile defense initiative alongside nine European partners to create affordable ballistic missile defense systems. Fire Point is developing the FP-7.X, a faster variant of the missile intended to function as an interceptor within the Freyja network. The company has formed industrial partnerships with 13 European defense firms to supply system components. Davyd Aloian, deputy secretary of Ukraine's National Security and Defence Council, stated in July that Ukraine aims to have a prototype for the Freyja anti-ballistic system ready during the first half of 2027.