Ukraine aims to have a prototype of the European-developed Freyja missile defense system ready by mid-2027 as a lower-cost alternative to the U.S. Patriot. Ukraine will provide the interceptor and launcher, while European partners will contribute radars, sensors, and guidance technology. The project uses an open architecture, allowing countries to integrate their own components, with the goal of reducing Europe's reliance on Patriot systems against Russian ballistic missiles. Source: Reuters