BREAKING NEWS: Ukrainian long-range drones are already being produced as many as the Russian “Shaheeds” – Defense Express

At the same time, the Ukrainian drone is much cheaper than the Russian one.

Ukraine’s production of long-range FP-1 drones has reached the same level as Russia’s production of Shahed drones , Defense Express has concluded after analyzing the relevant figures.

As experts noted, a recent Associated Press story reported that the Ukrainian long-range drone FP-1 is being produced at a rate of 3,000 units per month. And the production volume of “Shaheeds” in the Russian Federation, according to intelligence data, is about 100 units per day. In addition, experts noted, the FP-1 is not the only Ukrainian long-range drone.

They also compared the price of Ukrainian and Russian long-range strike drones. If the Ukrainian one, according to the AP story, costs $55,000 apiece, then the purchase price of one Russian “Shahed” at the level of 2023 is $193,000. Although, it is noted, since then it could have both decreased due to the simplification of certain components and increased due to the use of much more expensive 8- and 12-element CRPA satellite navigation modules of the “Kometa-M” type.

“Thus, as of now, only one FP-1 is being produced, according to the manufacturer’s statements, similar to the Russian ones, but with, apparently, a much lower cost of the drone itself. And the answer to the question of how exactly the FP-1 was able to achieve a lower cost can be found in the photo from the factory. In particular, pay attention to the completely different technologies for producing drones,” Defense Express writes.Read also:

According to analysts, the FP-1’s power structure is plywood, these elements are milled on a CNC laser machine, and the skin is attached to this “skeleton”, which has connections on grooves and ties. Experts emphasize that “this is a very cheap and mass-produced solution.”

“For many reusable aircraft, this could have been a rather controversial decision. But for a kamikaze drone, which is supposed to make a single flight in its life, which should end with it simply crashing into a target and exploding, this is not just enough, it is right. Because its production should be simple, fast and cheap with the understanding that it is a disposable product,” the material says.

Meanwhile, analysts note, the production technology of “Shaheed” is different, “which is due to its roots in the form of the German DAR of the 80s, when production technologies were different.”

“This is the sizing of carbon material with its baking in an autoclave, and full-fledged spars and ribs act as structural elements. Also, the Shahed-136 and its Russian derivatives “Geran-2” and “Harpy-1” are larger. Because of this, all production costs, along with other technology, will be more expensive. For example, the “Shahed” needs a larger engine, and it has a four-cylinder engine, while the FP-1 has a two-cylinder engine, which is cheaper,” the article notes.

In addition, Defense Express emphasized that the FP-1 carries a fairly powerful warhead. The story mentioned 60 kg, although during the presentation they talked about a maximum payload weight of up to 120 kg, experts say:

“Obviously, a more powerful warhead can be installed at the cost of reducing the range. The latter, by the way, is declared at the level of up to 1,600 km for the FP-1.”

Ukrainian weapons

UNIAN recently reported that Ukrainian Flamingo missiles are already in mass production. Ukrainian photographer Yefrem Lukatsky, who works with the Associated Press, showed photos of finished missiles in a workshop, which are probably ready for shipment. The journalist also noted that the missiles can fly up to 3,000 km.

Later, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced the mass production of Ukrainian Flamingo missiles. According to him, this should begin in early 2026 and that there have already been successful tests of this missile. He said that this is “so far the most successful missile that we have,” and confirmed that it flies 3 thousand kilometers. However, he emphasized that until then, “until we have the ability to use hundreds of missiles, it is inappropriate to talk much on this topic.”

(C)UNIAN 2025