Diehl Defence and Fire Point discuss localisation of Flamingo missile production in Germany

German defence company Diehl Defence and Ukrainian Fire Point are in talks to produce Flamingo missiles in Germany. The parties plan several discussions in the coming weeks, Financial Times reports. Earlier, FP co-founder Denys Shtilerman told the media that his company produces around 200 missiles a month, but is capable of assembling more.

Helmut Rauch, CEO of Diehl Defence, added that his business is optimistic about the idea of cooperation. However, he did not provide further details. Diehl and Fire Point have already signed agreements on technological cooperation in April. The FP-7.x interceptor missile, which the Ukrainian company is developing, will feature a German-made seeker.

European companies have generally accelerated production of their own weapons amid US policy, which has refused to deploy Tomahawks in Germany and periodically criticises NATO. In addition to Diehl, Destinus has stepped up development of the Ruta Block 3 cruise missile. The joint venture Rheinmetall Destinus Strike Systems, also based in Germany, will participate in its production and be responsible for integrating the missile into the Bundeswehr.

The FP-7.x will be part of the Freya air and missile defence system being developed by FP. In early June, the company showed a test launch of the missile. Its mass production could begin in August, co-founder Denys Shtilerman has predicted.

The missile can accelerate to 1,500-2,000 m/s, has a length of 7.25 m and an outer diameter of 1.15 m. The expected strike range is up to 200 km, with a payload of around 150 kg. In addition, Freya includes a long-range radar detection system, an illumination and guidance radar, a launcher and a command centre.

Diehl Defence, which supplies one of the components for the FP-7.x, is part of the Diehl group of companies. It manufactures IRIS-T air defence systems, which are used in Ukraine, as well as guided missiles, vehicle protection products, and more. Last year, the company was the first to test its Ziesel UGV in Ukraine under the Test in Ukraine programme.