"Long Neptune" Against "Flamingo": Why Ukraine needs both missiles - expert

A researcher in the field of missile and unmanned weapons from the Institute for Strategic Studies Fabian Hinz in a conversation with journalists explained that Ukrainians need both means of destruction, although it seems that one rocket is somewhat "losing" the other.

The media gathered information on the development of the missile program of Ukraine: on the creation of winged missiles ("Flamingo", "Neptune"), refinement of the ballistic missiles "Sapsan" ("Thunder"), problems of rocket launchers of volley fire ("alder"). Among other things, Hinz explained that the main initial purpose of "Neptune" was the destruction of ships (ie, to have armor-piercing or penetrating combat units for punching the sides and bins).

On the other hand, "flamingo" is probably no such opportunities (they will be beat in ordinary buildings). In his view, Ukraine should act as the United States: to develop both complex means of destruction and cheap drones. "They have general characteristics, but these are two very different missiles. The question of how they can be used together. The US has very complex winged rockets, but this does not prevent them from creating cheap missiles and jacket UAVs," Hinz said.

Radio Liberty described the main directions of Ukraine's missile program and characteristics and problems of the means of destruction - existing or projects. It should be noted that on September 2, the Defense Express portal clarified the characteristics of the Palyannya rocket, which Ukroboronprom showed at the exhibition in 2025. Among other things, it turned out that the developers changed the wings' configuration slightly.