Specialized mini-jet engine manufacturers across Europe are increasing production and investing to avoid a supply shortage which threatens to halt?Ukraine?s rapid deep strike drone programme, at a crucial stage of the war against Russia.

Mini turbojet drones can be faster and cheaper than propeller-driven models, and they are also far more affordable than cruise missiles. They allow Ukraine to strike deep into Russian-held territory without having to compete with Russian systems such as the Geran-5.

More than a dozen experts, government officials and companies have expressed concern about the shortage of mini engines, which could lead to a supply crunch.

Fabian Hoffmann is a senior researcher at the Norwegian Defence University College. He said that Europe has a huge bottleneck in the production of mini-jet engines. The sector also plays a key role in reducing Europe's dependence on the United States.

Unnamed Ukrainian sources in the defence industry said that the shortage of mini-engines was "probably the primary factor" limiting the production of missile drones. They described it as "a big problem for our missile program".

Maria Popova (CEO of the Ukrainian Council of Defence Industry), the largest association of private arms manufacturers, acknowledged that there was a shortage of turbojets and materials for drones.

She said that "supply remains constrained, both globally and more acutely in Ukraine."

Oleksandr Kamyshin - the adviser on defence and arms industry to Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskiy - declined to comment whether or not there was a shortage.

"STRETCHED to the LIMITS"

Deep-strike Drones are boosting morale in Kyiv, at a moment when the Middle East war is distracting allies and Russia is making gains on the ground.

Mini jet engines are also used to power missile interceptors and loitering munitions, as well as long-range drones. It has been difficult to increase production because few European manufacturers were producing them in large quantities before Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022.

The Czech PBS Group - one of the few producers who were established at the beginning of the war - has increased its production by five times since 2023. It expects this figure to increase eight-fold before the end of the year, as Ukrainian demand increases.

Stanislav Lisner, PBS's Chief Global Officer, said: "Our capacity is stretched to the limit." He said that "we're investing heavily in expanding production", without giving an exact figure.

PBS signed a deal to create a new engine in a joint venture, possibly with Ivchenko Progress of Ukraine.

PBS turbojet engines are used to power drones that can strike at speeds up to 900 km/h (559 mph). This compares to about 185 km/h for propeller driven Shahed drones, which are used by Russia. The cost is also far less than the $1 million+ price tag of Western cruise missiles.

The drones compete with Russia's jet powered Geran-5 drones that can fly up to 600 km/h (close to 1,000 miles) and carry payloads weighing about 90 kg (198 pounds).

TINY ENGINES - BIG IMPACT

Mini turbojets are typically smaller than 30 centimetres and made from lightweight materials like titanium alloys. They can be built using 3D printed components. These engines generate enough thrust to transport explosive payloads long distances.

According to European officials and documents, while Russia sources some engines in China, Ukraine relies on only a few European suppliers. These include PBS, Germany’s JetCat, and Destinus, based in the Netherlands.

Adam Vysocky is the head of Czech turbojet engine manufacturer ZofiTech. ZofiTech develops advanced systems, including the Narwhal drone for deep-strike and Nightray platform.

ZofiTech expects to sell thousands of engines in Ukraine over the next few months.

Large aerospace engine makers such as GE Aerospace, Rolls-Royce and others have largely stayed out of this segment. They are concentrating on the more lucrative fighter-jet engines.

The companies are developing only a small number of these engines. And because it is expensive to manufacture, they won't start making them until a large government order comes in, said Dominic Surano. Director of special projects for defence tech firm Nordic Air Defence.

The supply chain is constrained.

Some Ukrainian drone manufacturers are developing their own engines to reduce their dependence on suppliers. However, production is still limited. Ukrainian engineers have also been testing a low cost pulsejet engine called Hrim-17 that was unveiled by Ukrainian officials in December.

"It's peanuts in comparison to what Ukraine really needs," said Ragnar Sss, an Estonian investor who specializes in defence.

DRONE JET ENGINE MARKET 'VERY FAST, VERY HECTIC'

Lisner stated that PBS will double its output at its Czech facility in the next two-years as manufacturers expand their production lines, hire employees and form partnerships to meet customer demand. PBS delivers about 25% of its products to Ukraine.

There are new players on the market.

In February, German drone manufacturer Quantum Systems revealed a new jet powered drone developed with Airbus. Nordic Air Defence announced that it was looking for a partner to work with a stealthy startup developing drone motors.

After acquiring Must Solutions, a Serbian jet engine manufacturer, Czech defence group CSG expanded into this market after going public in January with a valuation of $35 billion.

Pavel Cechal, the head of CSG's Jet-Engine division, stated that CSG aims to manufacture about 1,000 turbojets in 2026. These engines will be used primarily for deep-strike, long-range drones. Around 35% of the output is expected to be sent to Ukraine.

Cechal stated that the market was very busy and fast-paced at this time. Because all defence companies see an enormous potential in that sector. (Additional reporting from Jan Lopatka, Tom Balmforth, and Max Hunder at Kyiv. Adam Jourdan, Mark Potter and Adam Jourdan edited the article.

(source: Reuters)