Germany supplying Ukraine with drones similar to Russia's Lancet
Photo: drone (Getty Images)
German firm Helsing is scaling up production of its HX-2 strike drone and delivering units to Ukraine; successful tests and plans for serial production make the model a strong contender in the tactical UAV market, according to Defense Express.
According to industry sources, Ukraine has placed two orders totaling 10,000 HX-2 strike drones, and Helsing plans to ramp up production to 2,500 units per month, a scale that signals a move to mass manufacture and rapid frontline integration.
Test results and reliability
In comparative trials in Germany, the HX-2 was the only platform among three manufacturers to consistently meet targets, recording 17 successful launches in a row. Over two years, the company flew weekly batches of ~30 aircraft to refine systems and airframe reliability, which analysts say explains the high success rate.
Technical profile
The HX-2 can engage targets at up to 100 km, reaches speeds of about 220 km/h, weighs roughly 12 kg, and carries warheads of up to 4 kg. It is powered by four engines and features autonomous navigation capabilities, including GNSS-denied operation using map-to-image matching; an operator still confirms target acquisition before an attack.
Software and AI focus
Helsing’s co-founder says the project will prioritise software and AI development, improving vulnerability-point recognition, adapting to countermeasures, and accelerating system calibration through a large flight test fleet.
Context
The scaleup comes as NATO and partner demand grows and as countries seek resilient, mass-produced tactical UAVs. Note that from 1 July 2026, the US will ban purchases of drones containing Chinese components for national-security reasons, a policy shift that could complicate Ukraine’s plans to export UAVs to the US market.
