Kathrine Frich
A weapons system once promoted as a cutting-edge solution for Ukraine’s war effort is now facing serious questions.
After months of testing and limited combat use, Kyiv has decided to halt a major procurement deal.
The move casts doubt on one of Germany’s most high-profile military technology exports to Ukraine.
Order on hold
Ukraine has suspended its order for HX-2 drones produced by the German company Helsing AI, according to Bloomberg, which cited several sources familiar with the decision.
The HX-2 had been presented as a flagship product.
In 2025, Helsing announced plans to manufacture up to 6,000 drones for Ukraine, making it one of the largest single drone contracts linked to the war.
That agreement is now on pause.
Problems identified
According to Bloomberg, Ukrainian forces identified “serious shortcomings” during both testing and battlefield deployment of the HX-2 drones.
The drones reportedly struggled to take off reliably and failed to deliver several artificial intelligence-based features highlighted by the manufacturer.
Communication issues were also observed, with operators losing contact with the systems during missions.
Ukrainian users further found the drones vulnerable to electronic warfare, despite claims that resistance to jamming was one of their core strengths.
Company response
Helsing AI rejected the criticism.
The company told Bloomberg it has official data showing a high rate of successful first flights in Ukraine and said it is not aware of the specific problems described.
At the same time, Helsing has stopped accepting new orders for the HX-2, saying it will wait until Ukraine expresses renewed interest in the system.
Design and role
The HX-2 weighs about 12 kilograms and uses an X-shaped wing configuration, often compared to Russia’s Lancet drones.
According to Bloomberg, it is designed to strike targets at ranges of up to 100 kilometers and reach speeds of around 220 kilometers per hour.
Its defining feature is software, with extensive use of artificial intelligence to guide targeting and flight.
Those AI-driven capabilities, however, are now seen by Ukrainian operators as among the drone’s weakest points.
Sources: Bloomberg, WP
