Ten European countries signed an agreement in Paris to create a Ballistic Missile Defense Coalition: a statedly defensive alliance aimed at developing a shared missile interception architecture for the continent.
Named FREYJA, the initiative brings together Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, the United Kingdom and Ukraine. French President Emmanuel Macron promoted the project during a gathering in Paris held alongside the Coalition of Volunteers summit for Ukraine.
The declaration prioritizes the rapid development of capabilities to face ballistic threats. It argues that Europe needs a response based on collective effort, technological openness and trusted industrial cooperation, and that the new structure will complement existing national systems.
To achieve these aims, the coalition plans to define common requirements, set up technical working groups and create governance mechanisms, following a roadmap toward initial operational capabilities. Members also committed to joint research projects, exploring funding options and strengthening data sharing, with Ukraine’s battlefield experience highlighted as a central contribution. FREYJA will remain open to other countries that share its principles and goals.
Leaders at the meeting spoke in support of the initiative. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez announced Spain’s participation via social media, saying cooperation is the best way to meet current and future challenges. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky described the meeting as potentially historic and called for a ballistic defense capability that is solid, reliable and more cost-effective than alternative systems.
Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten said the initiative responds to a rapid rise in Russian ballistic missile production and urged pooling technology and industrial resources to build a shared shield. Sweden’s Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said Sweden and aerospace company Saab would play a significant role in the project.
The meeting included both technical sessions and a leaders’ segment. Institutional representatives present included European Council President António Costa, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte.
Industry participants included Spain’s SENER; France’s Safran and Thales; Germany’s Diehl Defence and Hensoldt; Italy’s Leonardo; Norway’s Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace; Ukraine’s Fire Point; and the pan-European missile consortium MBDA, along with Eurosam, the developer of the SAMP/T air defense system.
(With information from EFE and Europa Press)