The EU estimates Ukraine's need for 2,000 interceptor missiles per year

The European Commissioner for Defence and Space, Andrius Kubilius, said there is a critical need for Ukraine for about 2,000 anti-ballistic missiles annually to protect against Russian attacks.

Reasons for the need

Kubilius explained that in 2025 Ukraine suffered about 2,000 missile strikes, of which approximately 900 were ballistic. Modern Russian missiles have become more complex because they can change their flight trajectory, which makes them harder to intercept. Destroying a single target sometimes requires multiple interceptors, sharply increasing the need for munitions.

New approaches to air defence

Kubilius stressed the importance of a multi-layered defence that should include not only conventional missiles but also interceptor drones, which will allow adaptation to new types of threats.

NATO’s position

Earlier NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte noted that, to meet modern security challenges, Europe needs to increase production of air-defence systems by 400%.

Conclusions

The EU‘s assessment indicates a significant rise in the intensity of missile threats and the technological complexity of attacks. This requires not only increasing the number of interceptors but also a large-scale modernization of the entire air-defence system of Ukraine and Europe.

Earlier we wrote:

• Zelensky: Russia is cutting missile production and betting on strike drones
• “Shaheds” targeted transport; homes and a school roof were also damaged in Mykolaiv
• Ukraine is creating its own air-defence dome to protect against mass drone attacks
• Tanks, drones, F-16s and billions: at ‘Ramstein’ they went all out
• Rocket surprise from Russia: what happened on July 8? Why did air defences fail?