Ukraine is significantly increasing production of its long-range FP-1 strike drones, now manufacturing around 3,000 units per month. This output effectively matches Russia’s production rate of Shahed drones.
According to the Associated Press (AP), despite the high production volume, the FP-1 is cheaper to build than the Shahed, thanks to engineering improvements and streamlined manufacturing. Ukraine is currently producing about 100 FP-1 drones per day. Each unit is estimated to cost around $55,000, compared to roughly $193,000 for a Shahed in 2023.
The sharp reduction in cost is largely due to the FP-1’s design. The drone is built mostly from plywood and intended for single-use missions, which makes it cheaper and faster to produce while still maintaining combat effectiveness. It can carry a 60 kg warhead and has a range of up to 1,600 km. Developers also note that it can be modified to transport larger payloads if required.
By contrast, the Shahed has a more complex design, is heavier, and less adaptable. It carries a fixed 90 kg warhead. Analysts point out that Russia has integrated more advanced navigation systems into its drones, but this also increases production costs.
In parallel, Ukraine has launched serial production of the FP-5 “Flamingo” cruise missile. The missile has a range of about 3,000 km, a top speed of 950 km/h, and a weight of 1,150 kg. It is reportedly resistant to electronic warfare systems. According to AP, production is currently at one missile per day, further expanding Ukraine’s stock of long-range strike weapons. A key feature of the FP-5 is its warhead, which is said to be twice as powerful as that carried by U.S. Tomahawk missiles. “The missile has successfully passed testing,” President Volodymyr Zelensky stated, adding that mass production could begin as early as February.
According to Defense Express, the “Flamingo” is being developed by the same company that produces the FP-1 drones. Its specifications are very similar to a mock-up showcased earlier this year at the IDEX-2025 exhibition in Abu Dhabi by Milanion Group, a company based in the UAE.
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Source: united24media
