Ukraine Eyes 10,000 Jet Engines a Month as It Races to Outpace Russia’s Drone Threat

Ukraine is preparing for a massive expansion of its jet-powered drone and missile programs, with demand for just one type of jet engine potentially reaching 10,000 units every month by 2027.

According to Ukrainian Defense Minister Yevhenii Khmara, speaking at a briefing attended by a UNITED24 Media correspondent, domestic jet engine production has become one of the country’s most critical defense-industrial priorities.

The minister revealed that Ukraine is developing propulsion systems across several categories of weapons, from small jet-powered interceptor drones to medium-range and deep-strike platforms, as well as cruise missiles.

For just one engine type, projected monthly demand could reach approximately 10,000 units in 2027—a figure that illustrates the scale of Ukraine’s future production requirements.

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Ukraine already has approximately 21 domestic manufacturers and developers working on jet propulsion technologies across different categories, with the Ministry of Defense supporting their development and expansion.

The smallest engines, producing approximately 20 to 60 kilograms-force of thrust, can currently be purchased internationally. However, Ukrainian developers have also created four domestic designs in this category, offering potential alternatives to foreign supplies.

More powerful engines are intended for medium-range and long-range attack drones, as well as cruise missiles capable of striking targets deep inside Russian territory.

The push comes as Russia increasingly deploys faster jet-powered attack drones, creating new challenges for Ukrainian air defenses and increasing demand for interceptors capable of catching high-speed targets.

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