Ukraine to Develop its own Modern Missile Complex

KYIV, Ukraine, February 21, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Ukraine will build its own up-to-date missile complex called Sapsan. The new multi-functional missile complex is expected to combine the features of a tactical missile complex and a multiple rocket launcher. This was announced during the visit of the Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych to Kharkiv City, Eastern Ukraine.

The missile range stated by the developer (the Pivdenne Design Bureau in Dnipropetrovsk) is up to 280 kilometers. The new weapon is expected to be tested in 2012-2013 and enter service in 2015. The estimated construction cost of the new missile system is 3.5 billion UAH (USD 440 mln.)

When asked about the readiness of the modern Sapsan missile complex, Viktor Yanukovych reassured that the government is set to carry out this plan within the shortest timeframe as well as to make sure the project is properly financed. The president has referred to Sapsan as to the "most up-to-date" missile system to be constructed in Ukraine.

In addition, the Ukrainian president highlighted that the government plans to back up Ukraine's participation in preparation of the space launching site in Brazil and support such major projects as Dnipro, and Cyclone-4.

In recent years Ukraine has occupied one of the world's leading positions among the countries that produce rocket launchers. Another world-known achievement of Ukraine is production of the ecologically sensitive rocket complex Zenit, one of the best rocket carriers with a fully automated preparation and launching process. The carrier is produced by Pivdenne Design Bureau. Zenit will serve as a base for creating an entire family of prospective space carriers. Moreover, Kharkiv based design bureau Khartronis a leading think-tank of Ukrainian missile construction industry. Khartron is among the three design bureaus in the world, capable to produce sophisticated missile control systems. Ukraine is one of the three successors of the Soviet Union's space industry potential. Moreover, Ukraine is one of the five countries in the world, which has a complete rocket production cycle. Ukrainian companies that work in the space industry utilize most of the known space technologies and participate in 50 international space projects.