Focus: Ukraine’s attack drone fleet faces a mini jet engine supply crunch
Europe ramps up production to meet demand
Specialist mini jet engine makers across Europe are ramping up production and investment to head off a looming supply shortage that threatens to hold back Ukraine’s rapid deep-strike drone programme at a critical stage of the war with Russia.
Ukraine’s drone programme and technological challenges
Ukraine has been developing and deploying a range of attack drones, including jet-powered models, to conduct deep-strike operations inside Russia. These drones rely on mini jet engines, which are critical for their performance and range.
Despite the increasing use of drones, Ukraine faces a supply crunch in mini jet engines, which are essential for the operation of its attack drone fleet. This shortage could hinder the effectiveness and scalability of Ukraine’s drone operations.
Global drone developments and responses
- Russia has also begun using jet-powered attack drones, such as the Geran-3, which is modelled on Iran’s Shahed-238, in strikes against Ukrainian military assets.
- Ukrainian forces have developed their own interceptor drones, which cost between $1,000 and $5,000 per unit, to counter incoming drone attacks.
- Electronic warfare systems are being used in Ukraine to detect, identify, and jam incoming drone signals, forcing them to crash or veer off course.
Related developments and concerns
There are growing concerns about the use of drones in conflicts, including in Syria, where the US has blamed groups like Ansar Allah al-Awfiya for attacks. Meanwhile, the US Department of Defense has stated that most drones seen in the US are used by hobbyists, not military assets.