Editor’s note: This article reports Helsing’s response to earlier reporting that Ukraine paused HX-2 drone orders. Our original story, based on Bloomberg, remains unchanged.
Helsing has issued a statement disputing Bloomberg-reported claims that Ukraine paused additional orders of its HX-2 strike drones, saying the information was based on an unverified internal document.
The Defense Post previously reported, based on a Bloomberg story citing an internal German military presentation, that technical issues during field trials and missing AI components had led Kyiv to pause further orders.
In a statement to The Defense Post, a Helsing spokesperson said the Bloomberg article’s main source was “unapproved and unverified.”
According to the company, the HX-2 has been successfully tested, approved for frontline use, and the Ukrainian army has placed orders for more than 1,000 units.
Helsing also noted the drone is now listed in Ukraine’s official central ordering system.
Helsing’s HX-2
Helsing unveiled the HX-2 in late 2024 as a swarm-capable, X-winged precision munition capable of engaging targets up to 100 kilometers (62 miles) away.
The Munich-based company describes the AI-enabled platform as incorporating electronic warfare and jamming-resistant features, with core elements developed and field-tested in Ukraine.
In February 2025, Helsing said it planned to produce 6,000 HX-2 strike drones for Kyiv.
Drone Testing in Ukraine
Ukraine’s battlefield has become a proving ground for drone technology, prompting several companies to send their systems there for real-world testing.
The Wall Street Journal reported in April 2024 that several US-made drones — including Skydio’s systems — suffered technical glitches and were difficult to repair.
Anduril’s Ghost reconnaissance drone also faced challenges from Russian electronic jamming and rough terrain during early deployments, prompting system upgrades. It later crashed during US military exercises in 2025.
