Fedorov and Lasar's Group founder Yelizarov set up Mission Defense Partners

Former Ukrainian defence minister Mykhailo Fedorov and Lasar's Group founder Pavlo Yelizarov have created the defence technology company Mission Defense Partners, Yelizarov told DOU. The company will develop new technologies for the military, including low-cost missiles to intercept Shahed drones, modernise drones and attract foreign investment into Ukrainian defence start-ups.

MDP grew out of the civilian production that previously built drones for the Lasar's Group unit, where up to a thousand people work. Production is currently only 30% loaded, and Yelizarov believes the spare capacity could make products for export. The company has three co-owners: Yelizarov holds about a third, Fedorov is another, and the third partner is undisclosed.

A main line of work is a short-range missile with a radar homing head to destroy Russian strike drones at up to 15 km in bad weather, including fog, rain and strong wind, at a target price of $20,000-25,000 each. "Our task is to develop an all-weather missile for destroying Shaheds," Yelizarov said. MDP also works on in-flight drone retargeting and other air defence systems.

Yelizarov said he and Fedorov visited Italy and the US to meet potential partners, and that Fedorov met representatives of Palantir to discuss funding for Ukrainian start-ups under an investment programme. No agreements with Palantir have been signed yet.