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Europe’s Next Killer Drone? France, Germany, and UK Test Ukraine’s Battle-Proven HX-2
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![Photo of Ivan Khomenko]( "Photo of Ivan Khomenko")
European militaries, including those of France, Germany, and the United Kingdom, are currently testing the HX-2 loitering munition, a drone already operational in Ukraine, according to Helsing Vice President of Sales Simon Bruniès, as reported by Hartpunkt on July 9.
The HX-2 is being evaluated by several NATO countries as a potential European counterpart to Russia’s Lancet drone. Germany’s Bundeswehr aims to complete its testing phase by the end of 2025.
Bruniès confirmed that Ukraine has already received the first batch of HX-2 drones for qualification, which is expected to be finalized in the coming weeks.
Developed by the European defense company Helsing, the HX-2 is designed for mass production and low-cost deployment.
According to Helsing co-founder Gundbert Scherf, the system was built from the ground up to offer a more affordable and scalable alternative to similar loitering munitions.
Feedback from Ukraine reportedly cites the HX-2 as “highly economical,” a view attributed in part to the company’s decision not to profit from deliveries to Ukrainian forces.
Currently, Helsing’s Resilience Factory (RF-1) in southern Germany produces up to 450 HX-2 units per month. The facility has the capacity to scale production to 1,000 units monthly with additional staffing. Plans are also underway for a second factory, which could increase output to approximately 2,500 units per month.
According to company specifications, the HX-2 has a flight range of up to 100 kilometers and a maximum approach speed of 220 km/h. It weighs up to 12 kg and can be equipped with a 4 kg payload, allowing it to target armored vehicles or fortified positions.
Earlier, in February 2025, Germany’s Helsing announced the production of 6,000 HX-2 strike drones for Ukraine. Equipped with AI and swarm coordination capabilities, the HX-2 is designed for mass deployment and electronic warfare resistance.
