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Ukraine and Czechia Develop Advanced Reaction Jet Engine for Drones
Ukrainian enterprise Ivchenko-Progress, in collaboration with Czech company PBS Group, has completed the development of the AI-PBS-350 jet engine, designed for use in unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and other military applications.
According to Pavel Chechal, Managing Director of PBS Group, the AI-PBS-350 engine, which was first unveiled at the Farnborough Airshow in July 2024, has been optimized for UAV and military technology needs.
Production of the engine is expected to commence in the first half of 2025, initially with a small-scale output, gradually increasing to hundreds of units annually.
While the initial production of AI-PBS-350 engines will take place at Ukrainian facilities, Czech production capacities will soon expand to meet both domestic and international demand.
Chechal emphasized that while the priority remains fulfilling Ukraine’s needs, the increasing cooperation between the two companies positions PBS Group to serve global markets in the near future.
PBS Group has experienced growth in engine production, increasing output by 300% in 2024 compared to the previous year. The company anticipates continued growth, with production expected to increase by another 200% in 2025.
To accommodate this expansion, PBS Group is building new manufacturing capacities in the United States and India, which are expected to strengthen its position in these emerging markets.
Chechal noted that the US market could eventually consume thousands of engines annually, contributing to projected sales of up to $100 million within the next two to three years. Despite these international prospects, he reiterated that meeting Ukraine’s needs remains the primary focus of PBS Group’s operations.
Earlier, Czech-Ukrainian company UAC launched serial production of reconnaissance drones Leleka-LR and Bulava for the Ukrainian army in Kolín, Czech Republic. The company plans to manufacture hundreds of drones annually, with production involving 3D printers and computer-controlled machines.
The Bulava drone can carry a shaped charge capable of penetrating armor or a thermobaric warhead, while the Leleka-LR can fly 90 kilometers behind enemy lines and remain airborne for up to 4 hours. Delivery of these drones to Ukraine is a top priority for UAC.