Ukraine is developing a missile capable of reaching Moscow – The Economist

Ukraine has started development of a new missile called “Trembita”, which should become an important element in the country’s defense strategy. One of the versions of this missile will be able to reach Moscow. This is reported by The Economist, referring to the information of the Ukrainian military UNN.

Details

The development of “Trembita” lasts only a year and a half, which is an impressive time for such a complex engineering task.

The Trembit engine is a modern remake of the $200 pulse jet engine first used in the German V-1 bomb in 1944. The engine pipe is a draft version. Below it hangs a more stylish gray rectangular case that hides the missile’s guidance system and warhead

“Trembita” in the basic configuration is capable of developing a speed of up to 400 km/h and has a flight range of 200 km.

However, in order to reach Moscow in Ukraine, a more powerful model is being developed. Serial production is planned for the period after the final field tests.

It is noted that it will take at least a year before the production of missiles in the number, range and capabilities that could seriously threaten Russia.

Another difficulty is finances. The government supports the production of any rocket that has shown it can fly. Private manufacturers are offered a profit of 25%, the same as drone manufacturers.

Scaling up to industrial production is an even more difficult task – raising capital, procuring sensitive equipment from abroad, and ensuring security. Here, Ukraine lags behind Russia’s state military complex.

New partnerships with Western allies are the best way to scale, one of the sources said. Not every country is ready to share its experience, equipment and risks. However, some are becoming more active – in particular, Denmark and Great Britain.

According to The Economist, the details of the Ukrainian missile program are carefully guarded and there are good reasons for that. Russia relentlessly attacks production facilities, killing and maiming hundreds of workers. So, in December 2023, several cruise missiles hit the Neptune missile factory in Kyiv. In November 2024, Russia targeted Pivdenmash in the Dnipro with its “new” Oreshnik interregional ballistic missile.

About five new missile and unmanned systems, as well as a dozen smaller projects, are already ready for flight. The most famous of them are the Neptune missile, which was adapted from an anti-ship weapon and sank the Russian flagship Moscow in 2022, and the Grim-2 (or Sapsan) tactical ballistic missile.

The publication notes that the production of rockets during the war brought rocketry to a new level – underground. Some production has been moved to secure bunkers, and components are manufactured at hundreds of hidden facilities.

We will remind

A Ukrainian start-up has started serial production of the Palanytsia drone missile with the support of the Ministry of Defense. The missile has a range of 700 km and costs less than $1 million, and Lithuania allocated 10 million euros for its production.