Helsing, the German defense technology firm, has announced plans to produce 6,000 HX-2 strike drones for delivery to Ukraine. This new order follows a previous commitment to supply 4,000 HF-1 strike drones, which are currently being delivered in collaboration with the Ukrainian defense industry.

Introduced in late 2024, the HX-2 is an electrically powered X-wing precision munition with a range of up to 100 kilometers. It is equipped with sophisticated onboard artificial intelligence that provides robust resistance to electronic warfare tactics. When paired with Helsing’s Altra reconnaissance-strike software, multiple HX-2 drones can function as a coordinated swarm, all managed by a single operator. The design of the HX-2 allows for mass production at a significantly reduced unit cost compared to traditional weaponry, addressing the increasing demand for precision-strike capabilities in contemporary land warfare.

In a related initiative, Helsing has completed its first Resilience Factory in Southern Germany. These facilities aim to equip nation-states with localized and sovereign drone manufacturing capabilities, ensuring continuous production during times of conflict. Helsing intends to set up several Resilience Factories throughout Europe, each with the potential to scale production to tens of thousands of units as required.

The inaugural operational Resilience Factory (RF-1) in Southern Germany boasts an initial monthly production capacity exceeding 1,000 HX-2 drones. The company anticipates that this capability will significantly bolster Ukraine’s operational effectiveness on the battlefield, especially in countering Russia’s numerical superiority in conventional military resources.

Gundbert Scherf, co-founder of Helsing, underscored the critical need to increase production in light of Ukraine’s changing defense requirements. “We are ramping up the production of HX-2 due to new orders from Ukraine, where precision mass is effectively countering the numerical limitations of older systems on a daily basis. It is evident that NATO must quickly learn significant lessons. Through our Resilience Factories, we are adopting a decentralized approach to mass manufacturing these systems throughout Europe, enabling individual nations to produce locally and maintain sovereignty over their production and supply chains.”

Niklas Köhler, another co-founder of Helsing, pointed out the innovative nature of the company’s manufacturing strategy. “We have brought together Europe’s top manufacturing experts to completely reimagine and create a new generation of mass-producible solutions. Our Resilience Factories integrate software-first design with scalable manufacturing methods. We tackle the complex challenges at the software level rather than the electronics. This approach yields affordable precision mass, deters potential threats, and safeguards our democracies. HX-2 is merely the first in a series of products built on this foundation.”

Helsing’s initiative is in line with ongoing efforts to bolster Ukraine’s defense capabilities, as European nations increasingly back advancements in drone warfare. The HX-2, engineered for quick deployment and versatility, signifies a new era in unmanned aerial combat, with its mass production potential likely to transform modern battlefield strategies.