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FP-1 vs Shahed: Ukraine Ramps Up Production of Low-Cost Long-Range Drones
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![Photo of Liubava Petriv]( "Photo of Liubava Petriv")
Ukraine has ramped up production of its long-range FP-1 drone, now reaching a rate of 3,000 units per month—comparable to Russia’s Shahed drone output, according to an August 21 report from the Associated Press (AP).
Despite its high output, the FP-1 is cheaper than the Shahed, thanks to several production and technological innovations.
Ukraine now produces approximately 100 FP-1 drones per day. Each drone costs an estimated $55,000, making it more affordable than Russia’s Shahed drones, which were valued at around $193,000 in 2023.
The lower cost of the FP-1 is largely due to its design. Built primarily from plywood and intended for one-time use, the drone is cheaper and quicker to produce while still delivering operational capability. It carries a 60-kilogram warhead with a range of up to 1,600 kilometers, and developers note it can be configured to carry a larger payload if needed.
By contrast, Shahed-type drones are heavier, more complex, and less adaptable, with a fixed 90-kilogram warhead. Analysts suggest that while Russia has integrated advanced navigation systems, these additions also increase costs.
Ukraine has also begun serial production of the FP-5 “Flamingo” cruise missile. According to AP, one missile is produced each day, expanding Ukraine’s arsenal with longer-range strike options. Importantly, the new missile is reported to have a warhead that is twice as powerful as that of American Tomahawk missiles.
Ukrainian defense media outlet Defense Express noted that the “Flamingo” is being built by the same company that produces Ukraine’s FP-1 long-range strike drone, and that the missile closely matches a mock-up shown earlier this year by the UAE-based Milanion Group at the IDEX-2025 defense exhibition.
Previously, it was reported that Ukraine’s official fundraising platform UNITED24, in partnership with the Ministry of Digital Transformation, recently launched a mobile app enabling donors worldwide to directly support frontline drone units and follow their missions in real time.
