Ukraine’s deep-strike drone programme is facing a critical shortage of mini jet engines, with European manufacturers scrambling to ramp up production to meet demand.
The mini turbojet engines, which power faster and cheaper drones than propeller models, have become vital for Ukraine as it targets deep inside Russian-held territory, reports Reuters.
However, a supply bottleneck in mini-jet engine production is threatening to hold back Ukraine’s missile drone capabilities. “Europe has a massive bottleneck in mini-jet engine production,” said Fabian Hoffmann, senior research fellow at the Norwegian Defence University College.
This shortage is a key challenge for Ukraine’s missile programme, according to defence experts.
Maria Popova, COO of the Ukrainian Council of Defence Industry, confirmed that turbojet supplies, particularly in Ukraine, remain constrained.
She stressed that the shortage of both engines and the materials required to build them is a significant issue for Ukraine’s defence industry.
Manufacturers are working hard to address the shortage. Czech-based PBS Group, a key supplier, has increased production five-fold since 2023 and expects an eight-fold increase by year-end.
“Our capacities are stretched to the limits,” said PBS Chief Global Officer Stanislav Lisner, adding that the company is heavily investing to expand production. PBS has also signed an agreement with Ukraine’s Ivchenko-Progress for potential co-production.
These mini engines are crucial for deep-strike drones like the Palianytsia, which can reach speeds of 900 km/h, far surpassing Russia’s propeller-driven Shahed drones, which fly at about 185 km/h.
The jet-powered Geran-5 drones used by Russia can carry payloads of up to 90 kg, competing with Ukraine’s mini-turbojet drones that cost far less than Western cruise missiles.
Mini turbojet engines, typically under 30 cm in diameter, are made from lightweight materials like titanium alloys and 3D-printed components.
Despite a limited number of European suppliers, including PBS, Germany’s JetCat, and the Netherlands’ Destinus, Ukraine is securing engines for its drone fleet.
Adam Vysocky, head of ZofiTech, a Czech maker, confirmed that his company is delivering nearly all of its monthly production to Ukraine and expects demand to reach thousands of engines in the coming months.
Some Ukrainian drone manufacturers are developing in-house engines to reduce reliance on European suppliers. Ukrainian engineers have also unveiled a low-cost pulsejet engine, the Hrim-17, designed for interceptor drones, though it remains insufficient for the country’s needs, according to Estonian defence investor Ragnar Sass.
To meet the surging demand, PBS is planning to double its output at its Czech facility over the next two years. The company expects about 25% of its deliveries to go to Ukraine.
New players are also entering the market, including Czech defence group CSG, which acquired Serbian manufacturer Must Solutions and plans to produce 1,000 engines in 2026, with 35 per cent allocated to Ukraine.
The mini-jet engine market is growing rapidly, driven by high demand from Ukraine and other defence companies keen to enter the segment.
Pavel Cechal of CSG’s jet-engine division said the market is “very fast and very hectic,” as manufacturers scramble to increase production and meet demand.
