12 October 2026
Ukraine has identified jet engine production as one of the critical areas for developing its domestic defence industry.
Ukraine’s Minister of Defence Yevhen Khmara shared this with journalists at an event attended by a Militarnyi correspondent.
For one type of these engines, estimated demand in 2027 could reach around 10,000 units per month.
Demand for jet propulsion systems spans several weapons classes, from interceptor drones and middle-strike weapons to deep-strike systems and cruise missiles.
The Ministry of Defence says Ukraine already has a number of relevant designs and manufacturers that the state is supporting and assisting. In total, around 20 Ukrainian manufacturers are involved.
Ukrainian Bars jet drone. September 2026. Photo credits: NV
Volodymyr Zelensky has also announced plans to significantly expand domestic production of propulsion systems. Following a meeting of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief’s Staff on September 25, the president announced new decisions on establishing production of various types of jet engines in Ukraine.
A shortage of jet engines is one of the factors limiting the scaling up of high-speed interceptor drones.
In October, Zelensky reported that the Bars jet-powered interceptor was delivering some of the best results against Russian jet-powered drones, but Ukraine still imports a significant share of the necessary engines.
Meanwhile, Ukraine’s defence industry is developing its own propulsion systems for other weapons classes. In March, Fire Point announced that it had completed development of its own jet engine for the Flamingo cruise missile.