On October 31, 2026, Denis Shtilerman, the chief designer of Fire Point, commented on the ballistic missile FP-7, which recently underwent combat application. According to him, although the missile is cheaper compared to ATACMS, its cost makes its use economically unfeasible.
Cost of Using FP-7
Shtilerman noted that delivering 200 kg of cargo over a distance of 300 km using the FP-7 missile costs approximately $600,000. This is an extremely high price considering that a similar task can be accomplished using the FP-2, which has the same warhead but costs only $50,000.
- Cost of FP-7: $600,000 for 200 kg over 300 km
- Cost of FP-2: $50,000 for 200 kg over 300 km
Comparison with ATACMS
Although FP-7 is a cheaper alternative to ATACMS, it remains expensive in its own right. Shtilerman emphasized that economic factors must be considered when choosing means for carrying out combat missions. Using FP-7 in situations where more economical options exist is impractical.
Conclusion
Denis Shtilerman's statement about the FP-7 ballistic missile highlights the importance of economic efficiency in military expenditures. In the context of limited national resources, rational use of budget funds becomes a priority, and the choice between FP-7 and FP-2 serves as a clear example of this.