Ukrainian officials have released new details about their ambitious FP-5 Flamingo missile program, confirming that the weapon was conceived, developed, and fielded in less than nine months.
According to POLITICO, Iryna Terekh, CEO and Chief Technology Officer of Fire Point, said the rapid development underscores Ukraine’s ability to deliver advanced defense capabilities under wartime conditions.
“We came up with it pretty fast. It took less than nine months to develop it from an idea to its first successful tests on the battlefield. I will not tell you about its exact speed, but I can say it’s faster than all the other missiles we currently have,” Terekh said, adding: “It is completely Ukrainian-made.”
The FP-5 cruise missile carries a warhead weighing 1,150 kilograms and has a range exceeding 3,000 kilometers. Ukrainian sources state that it has been hardened against Russian electronic warfare systems, ensuring resilience in contested environments.
While Fire Point has not disclosed technical specifics, some reports suggest the propulsion system may be based on an AI-25TL engine taken from L-39 Albatros trainer aircraft. Analysts also believe the warhead could be adapted from a FAB-1500 aerial bomb, though officials have not confirmed this.
The existence of the Flamingo missile first became public on August 17, when Associated Press photojournalist Efrem Lukatsky published images on Facebook. The photographs showed what appeared to be the new cruise missile, sparking wide interest in Ukraine’s expanding long-range strike capabilities.
The announcement highlights a major step in Ukraine’s evolving defense industry, which has increasingly turned to indigenous solutions to counter Russia’s ongoing war. By leveraging domestic production and adapting available technologies, Ukrainian engineers have accelerated the transition from concept to combat-ready systems.
As Ukraine continues to face heavy Russian strikes, the Flamingo missile adds a new layer of strategic reach, with the ability to hit targets well beyond the front lines. With its large payload, extended range, and resilience against electronic warfare, the system positions Ukraine to expand its options for long-range precision strikes.
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