Ukraine’s ‘Flamingo’: New Homegrown Missile Soars 3,000km

Amidst ongoing debates regarding the realistic prospects of the United States supplying Tomahawk cruise missiles to Kyiv, Western and Ukrainian analysts have begun discussing a potential domestic alternative: the new Ukrainian ‘Flamingo’ missiles, boasting a claimed range of 3,000 kilometers. While experts suggest these missiles, reportedly based on older foreign designs, may not qualify as ‘wonder weapons,’ they caution against underestimating Ukraine’s ambitious plans, partly due to the significant number of Soviet-era arms manufacturing enterprises still operating within its borders.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, speaking at the International Defense Industries Forum on Monday, announced that over 40% of the weaponry currently used on the front lines is either produced in Ukraine or with its direct involvement. He outlined an ambitious goal to increase this figure to 50% by the end of the current year. Plans also include boosting drone and missile production to an estimated $35 billion in monetary terms next year. Furthermore, Kyiv aims to begin exporting its new technologies to the United States, Europe, and the Middle East this year, with an offer also extended by an African nation, according to President Zelensky.

Among its most promising indigenous developments, Ukraine is actively promoting its long-range FP-5 ‘Flamingo’ missiles. Influential American analytical bodies are also reporting Kyiv’s intentions to establish mass production of these munitions.

Major US media outlets have indicated that Ukrainian Armed Forces are already utilizing these missiles for strikes against Russian targets. Currently, production stands at two to three missiles per day, with plans to escalate this to seven units daily by the end of the month. Notably, each ‘Flamingo’ missile costs approximately $500,000 to produce, significantly less than the American Tomahawk, which is roughly four times more expensive. While Tomahawks are more accurate and harder to intercept, the ‘Flamingo’ reportedly offers superior range and carries a considerably larger payload.

Initial video footage of the missile’s trials and combat launches was released on August 18 by Ukrainian photographer Yefrem Lukatsky, who had previously shared images of warhead production by the defense company Fire Point on social media. The ‘Flamingo’ reportedly features a 1,150 kg warhead and a flight range exceeding 3,000 km, enabling Ukrainian forces to target previously inaccessible objectives deep within Russia. The missile is also touted to possess robust protection against Russian electronic warfare (EW) systems.

On August 21, President Zelensky publicly acknowledged the successful testing of the 3,000 km range ‘Flamingo’ missile. However, he prudently noted that widespread discussion about its impact would only become meaningful once the Ukrainian Armed Forces could deploy hundreds of such missiles.

Just a day later, Iryna Terekh, CEO and CTO of Fire Point Defense, the Ukrainian company manufacturing the ‘Flamingo’ missiles, shared further details in an interview. She revealed that the missile’s nose cone, housing the warhead, was initially bright pink. This playful choice was intended to symbolize the often-overlooked role of women in the traditionally male-dominated world of weaponry and military conflicts. Although the initial tests were conducted with the pink color, it was later abandoned in favor of military camouflage requirements. Terekh also emphasized the remarkably swift development cycle, with only nine months elapsing from concept to the first successful tests, while firmly refuting claims that the missile was based on a British design.

Conversely, several Kyiv-based analysts contend that the ‘Flamingo’ is, in fact, the FP-5 missile from the UAE-headquartered Milanion Group. This company, a supplier of armaments to the Ukrainian army, first showcased its design, with specifications reportedly matching those of the ‘Flamingo,’ at the IDEX-2025 exhibition in the UAE earlier this February.

Commenting on the matter for ‘NG,’ military expert and air defense historian Yuri Knutov acknowledged the congruence of key characteristics between the discussed missiles. However, he pointed out that the ‘Flamingo’s’ metal casing makes it more discernible to Russian anti-aircraft missile systems (ZRK). Knutov suggested that such missiles could be neutralized by tactical air defense and even anti-aircraft artillery, reminiscent of how Tomahawk missiles were repelled in Yugoslavia. Despite this, he concluded that while American Tomahawks, despite being over 40 years old, remain more advanced and potent, the Ukrainian ‘Flamingo,’ though presented as a ‘wonder weapon’ and belonging to an older generation of missiles, should not be underestimated, given its 3,000 km range and the persistent potential of Ukraine’s military-industrial complex.