Ukraine’s domestically designed Flamingo cruise missile has officially moved into serial production, according to reports released on August 17. Associated Press (AP) photojournalist Efrem Lukatsky confirmed the development after photographing the missile on August 14 at a classified facility operated by the Ukrainian defense company Fire Point.
The Flamingo reportedly has a range of up to 3,000 kilometers (1,864 miles), though its detailed technical specifications remain undisclosed. The Ukrainian military has not yet issued an official statement on the missile’s production, and it is unclear when the new system will be deployed for active combat use.
Long-range, homegrown weapons are central to Ukraine’s defense strategy, particularly as Western partners have been slow in providing sufficient arms while Russia intensifies its strikes and offensives.
Back in November 2024, President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that Ukraine had completed the production of its first 100 Flamingo missiles. Since then, domestic arms manufacturing has steadily expanded. As of April 16, Zelensky reported that more than 40% of the weapons used on the front line are made in Ukraine, including over 95% of drones employed in combat.
In June, Ukrainian media revealed that the indigenous short-range Sapsan ballistic missile had successfully passed combat trials and entered the process of mass production. Zelensky also disclosed the development of another unique domestic system — the Palianytsia hybrid missile-drone, combining missile and UAV capabilities.
SOURCE: The Kyiv Independent
