Missiles must be Ukraine’s top priority weapon, defense expert says

For Ukraine, missiles should remain the top priority weapon because they are capable of destroying enemy infrastructure and military-industrial capacity, and therefore Ukraine and Europe should work together on their development.

This was stated by Valentyn Badrak, Head of the Center for Army, Conversion and Disarmament Studies, in an interview with Ukrinform for Ihor Dolhov’s program “The War of the Future: Horbulin and Badrak on the New World Order and Technologies”.

“Missiles must remain the top priority weapon. Because missiles are what can destroy infrastructure and military-industrial capabilities. Therefore, it would be very good politically if Ukraine worked with Europe on missiles. Just recently, Türkiye demonstrated its intercontinental ballistic missile, and Germany and France are now working on a ballistic missile with a range of 2,000 kilometers. We should aim to join this missile club,” Badrak said.

A similar view is shared by Volodymyr Horbulin, First Vice President of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine and Hero of Ukraine.

He noted that medium-range missiles can strike targets at distances of 1,500 to 5,500 kilometers, which is not sufficient for a number of tasks. Meanwhile, long-range ballistic missiles – with ranges of 5,500 kilometers and more – are, in his words, a particularly promising direction.

Read also: Ukraine, EU should consider joint development of nuclear weapons – Horbulin

Earlier, Ukrinform reported that European Commissioner for Defense and Space Andrius Kubilius said Ukraine is considering developing missile systems together with European partners, as Europe seeks to expand its defense production amid declining weapons stockpiles in EU countries.