Germany to supply AI-powered drones to Ukraine starting in 2025

Germany’s Munich-based company Helsing is set to begin mass production of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) controlled by artificial intelligence (AI) for Ukraine.

The drones, identified as HX-2, will be produced at a rate of 1,000 units per month, beginning in January 2025, following a supply contract signed with Ukraine in September, Caliber.Az reports citing German media.

Helsing’s website outlines the specifications of the HX-2 drone, which features an X-shaped wing and shaped-penetrator armour. Weighing 12 kilograms, the drone can reach speeds of up to 220 kilometers per hour and has a flight range of 100 kilometers.

The standout feature of the HX-2 is its AI-driven capabilities. Equipped with advanced software, the drone is capable of studying its environment, determining its location without the need for GPS, and autonomously selecting and targeting enemies.

On December 2, 2024, Helsing, a leading AI specialist in defence applications, officially unveiled its HX-2 Karma intelligent loitering munition. The announcement followed weeks of speculation in the media about what Helsing referred to as a "strike drone," with some linking it to the German government's pledge to deliver "4,000 armed drones" to Ukraine as part of its broader weapons and military aid commitments.

According to Helsing, the HX-2 Karma is an electrically powered, X-wing precision loitering munition, capable of a range of up to 100 kilometers. Its X-wing design features four wings and rotors arranged in an "X" formation. This new software-driven, swarm-capable munition is engineered for cost-effective mass production.

The advanced onboard AI ensures high resistance to jamming, even in highly contested electromagnetic environments. The system’s capabilities were developed and refined through extensive testing in Ukraine, leveraging Helsing’s considerable experience in the region.

By Vafa Guliyeva