PARIS: Nine European countries and Ukraine on Monday announced the formation of a new coalition to develop a joint anti-ballistic missile defence capability for Europe, citing the growing threat posed by ballistic missiles and the need for a coordinated continental response.
The declaration was signed by the leaders of Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Ukraine and the United Kingdom during a meeting in Paris attended by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and other European leaders.
The signatories described the initiative as an exclusively defensive coalition aimed at strengthening Europe’s integrated missile defence architecture.
“We believe that the protection of Europe requires a global solution of integrated missile defence architecture to deter and defeat future missile threats,” the joint declaration said.
It added that the participating countries would combine their defence industrial base, research and operational experience to build a shared anti-ballistic missile capability for Europe.
“By bringing together our defence industrial base, our research, and our operational experience, we aim to build a shared anti-ballistic missile capacity for Europe,” the declaration said.
“We do this not against any people, but in defence of our own.”
La seguridad de Europa también se construye desde la innovación y la colaboración con las empresas.
España se suma a la Coalición Antimisiles Balísticos para seguir fortaleciendo nuestras capacidades comunes.
Cooperar es la mejor forma de afrontar los desafíos del presente y… pic.twitter.com/YtU1els60c
— Pedro Sánchez (@sanchezcastejon) July 13, 2026
The declaration recognised Ukraine’s experience in countering Russian missile attacks as a key contribution to the new initiative.
“We recognise Ukraine’s unique experience gained in defending against Russia,” the document said.
According to the declaration, the proposed missile defence architecture will complement existing national air and missile defence systems rather than replace them.
The participating countries said future work would focus on establishing common operational requirements, conducting joint technical development, creating governance mechanisms and preparing a roadmap towards achieving initial operational capability.
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President Zelensky welcomed the initiative, describing stronger missile defence as essential to ending Russia’s war against Ukraine.
“Strong and sufficient anti-ballistic capabilities are essential to bringing Russia’s war against Ukraine to an end,” Zelensky said in a post on X.
Strong and sufficient anti-ballistic capabilities are essential to bringing Russia’s war against Ukraine to an end. They are no less important than deep and mid-range strikes against Russia’s war economy or active operations on the front lines. The more means Ukraine has to shoot… pic.twitter.com/YjArl85MNB
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) July 13, 2026
“The more means Ukraine has to shoot down Russian ballistic missiles, the greater the chance that Putin will come to the negotiating table, as his last argument in this war will no longer work,” he said.
“Our work on a joint system – FREYJA – is not intended to replace existing systems,” Zelensky said.
“It is a way to supplement our defence, create a strong shield over the entirety of Europe, and do all of this faster and at a lower cost.”
