Russia has been subjected to a blistering assault from a new type of Ukrainian missile, affectionately named the Flamingo.
This formidable cruise missile can carry a payload of 1,150kg, making it one of the largest missiles of its kind globally, and boasts a range of 3,000km, nearly double that of the fearsome Tomahawk missiles. This development comes as Trump seems hesitant to supply any US missiles.
Ukrainian weapons manufacturer Fire Point, the brains behind this creation, claim it can land within a mere 14 metres of its intended target.
The missile earned its quirky name, the Flamingo, due to an initial factory error that resulted in a pink hue. The name has since stuck.
These missiles have already proven their worth in combat, with three successful strikes on a Russian base, obliterating six hovercraft and leaving craters over 30 feet wide. They have also been deployed against Russian oil refineries, reports the Express US.
Significantly for Ukraine, a country grappling with financial constraints amidst conflict, the Flamingo is a more economical option. The manufacturers proudly highlight its construction from low-cost scraps, leading some to dub it a ‘junkyard’ missile.
Its external engine design allows for any object to be attached to propel it. Even the warhead is a repurposed Soviet FAB-1000 aircraft bomb, enabling Ukraine to utilise their extensive stockpiles of this type of bomb.
Fire Point asserts that it’s currently producing Flamingos at a rate of one per day, but aims to increase this to seven a day by year-end. This production rate would surpass the combined output of US and Russian cruise missile manufacturing.
How does the Flamingo stack up against the Tomahawk missile?
The Tomahawk has the capability to strike targets 1,000 miles away with a hefty 1,000-pound warhead. By these measures, the Flamingo is larger and boasts a greater range.
The Tomahawk can skim the surface as it soars, making it incredibly difficult to intercept and when it strikes, it’s within 14 feet of the target. However, the price tag is astronomical.
The Navy’s current budget only allows for 40 Tomahawks at a staggering cost of $2.1m each.
The crucial distinction, according to Fire Point, is that the Flamingo comes in at just one-fifth of the American missile’s cost.