Nine European countries have joined Ukraine in launching a new missile defense coalition aimed at accelerating production of the country’s Freyja interceptor system and bringing it into operational service within a year, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced Monday.

Speaking during a meeting of defense allies in France, Zelenskyy said the initiative is designed to strengthen Europe’s ability to counter growing ballistic missile threats through joint development and manufacturing.

The proposal was first unveiled at last week’s NATO summit in Ankara, where President Donald Trump pledged to allow Ukraine to manufacture its own Patriot interceptor missiles, acknowledging Kyiv’s capacity to produce advanced air defense systems.

The new coalition comes amid a worldwide shortage of anti-ballistic missile interceptors, driven by sustained demand from ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, where governments have sought to expand their air defense capabilities.

The founding members of the partnership are Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom.

In a joint statement announcing the coalition, participating governments emphasized the need for a coordinated European approach to missile defense.

“We believe that the protection of Europe requires a global solution of integrated missile defence architecture to deter and defeat future missile threats—developed through collective effort, technological openness, and trusted industrial cooperation,” the statement said.

The coalition is expected to focus on expanding industrial capacity, accelerating technological development and strengthening defense cooperation among member nations as Europe seeks to enhance its long-term security against evolving missile threats.