Missile cooperation: Why it matters to Ukraine

In early August this year, news broke that Romania would jointly develop a new cruise missile with Ukraine. Against the backdrop of the truly revolutionary event of the arrival of the first F-16 aircraft in Ukraine and the euphoria surrounding it, the “rocket turn” remained somewhat in the shadows. By the way, Ukraine has considered the development of missile swords and shields as the basis of its defense capabilities for more than two decades. We do this for serious reasons, as the domestic rocket academy has a long tradition. Back in Soviet times, 12 of the 20 most powerful intercontinental ballistic missiles were developed at the Yuzhno-Kdesign Bureau in the Dnieper region.

Unfortunately, the Dnieper school was lost. Therefore, since the 2000s, domestic rocket science has been developed mainly in Kiev. Our main achievement here is the R-360 Neptune, a subsonic cruise missile developed by the leading Ukrainian state design bureau Luch. The rocket is completely, i.e. 100%, made in Ukraine, its production does not depend on foreign suppliers. It entered service with the Ukrainian Navy in 2021 and performed with distinction in the war against the Russian Federation.

Our interests intersect here with those of our neighbors. The deterioration of the situation in the Black Sea prompted Romania to urgently strengthen its defense potential.

In July 2024, it was announced that the Romanian Ministry of Defense will allocate 14 billion euros for the modernization of the army, i.e., begin active preparations for a future war with the Russian Federation. Bucharest focuses mainly on artillery. To strengthen this strength, South Korea spent $ 920 million to purchase 54 K9 self-propelled artillery and 36 K10 armored transport and loading vehicles (Hanwha offered favorable conditions and the work speed is three times that of European industry).

Our neighbor plans to purchase two squadrons of modernized F-35A fighter jets, estimated at $6.5 billion, and 300 to 500 South Korean-made K2 Black Panther main battle tanks. By the end of 2024, the updated air defense system will be strengthened with 27 modernization facilities, estimated to cost 2.7 billion euros.

Against this background, it becomes easy to understand Romania’s intention to develop coastal anti-ship defense based on the Ukrainian R-360 Neptune missiles. This was reported in the specialized publication “Army Recognition”.

Experts give high praise to Ukrainian cruise missiles. They note that, unlike the French SCALP-EG missiles, which are launched from the air, the Neptune missiles are launched from the ground and can simultaneously target both ground and sea targets at a range of up to 400 kilometers. “This capability allows them to play a strategic role in the conflict. These missiles have been used since the beginning of the conflict, in particular, in the downing of the Russian cruiser Moskva in 2022. They have the potential to compete with the American ATACMS,” wrote analysts of the Army Identification.

In Romania, the Neptune missile, designed to destroy naval ships with a displacement of up to 9,000 tons, is highly appreciated. The willingness to cooperate with Ukraine is representative, despite the fact that the Romanian government signed a direct agreement with Raytheon, the manufacturer of the Naval Strike Missile (NSM) complex in May 2021. After all, the Naval Strike Missile is considered the best mass-produced fleet anti-ship system in the world. “Neptune” has an advantage in the range of destruction – 280 kilometers, instead of 185 kilometers for the NSM. But the decisive factors remain portability and possible costs. Partnership with Ukraine promises to be more profitable and closer.

At the same time, it is important to note that, according to the Army Recognition publication, Romania and Ukraine plan to establish a military-industrial partnership after the war (the publication indicates that NATO is not completely confident in Ukraine’s ability to resist a war with the Russian Federation).

Is the joint missile production project necessary and beneficial for Ukraine?

On the one hand, we are confidently developing our own production of the R-360. Since 2023, the Ukrainian defense industry has been working on the modernization of missile systems, and the successful attack on the large landing ship Konstantin Olshansky has led experts to talk about a new stage in the life of the Neptune. In addition, the statements of some industry experts indicate an intention to increase the range of surface-to-surface cruise missiles to 1,000 kilometers. There is no doubt that one day this will happen.

So the question is: if the team of the State Design Bureau “Luch” can handle everything alone, why do we need Romania or another NATO country? Again, the key factors are time and money. We, like the Romanians, are interested in getting a large number of missiles as soon as possible. Without partners, this goal will be difficult to achieve.

While Bucharest is only interested in the anti-ship version, in Kiev they actually created a surface-to-surface missile based on the Neptune, which may be no less important than its sea sister. Therefore, cooperation with NATO partners must be strengthened and developed. These are practical steps necessary for our survival and victory. And in the future – access to the international arms market.