Ukraine is said to be ‘holding off’ from placing more orders for strike drones from a German defence manufacturer after encountering issues. Drones have been used to devastating effect during the war, with Ukrainian military chiefs estimating unmanned weapons account for around 70% of all casualties on both sides of the conflict — more than all other weapons combined.

Only a quarter of Helsing’s flagship HX-2 strike drones were reportedly able to launch in frontline tests by a Ukrainian drone unit, claims which the manufactuer denied. The UAVs were also affected by jamming near the front, losing connection with human operators, it is purported. The claims are based on a German military presentation given in November last year and several people in Germany and Ukraine familiar with the matter, reports say.

The HX-2 also lacked some expected artificial intelligence components designed to help it steer without a pilot, according to Bloomberg which broke the story.

The presentation and two sources said the problems have undermined the demand for the weapons, Bloomberg reported.

Munich-based Helsing said it is not aware of the presentation and rejected claims about the performance of the drones. 

A spokesperson said: “The hit rate of the first flights, which was officially documented, is encouraging.

“We are confident that HX-2’s test performance will translate well into high hit rates on the battlefield, too, including under electronic warfare conditions.”

Helsing, considered Europe’s most valuable defence start up, said Ukrainian forces have combat-tested the HX-2 and that it has been cleared for use on the battlefield. 

It added a minimum of six Ukrainian units have submitted inquiries for the weapon and that it had ramped up production capacity in response.

The firm, founded in 2021, says the HX-2 is capable of engaging artillery, armoured and other military targets at a beyond-line-of-sight range up to 62 miles away. 

“Onboard artificial intelligence ensures that HX-2 is immune to hostile electronic warfare (EW) measures through its ability to search for, re-identify and engage targets even without a signal or a continuous data connection,” Helsing says on its website.

“A human operator stays in or on the loop for all critical decisions.”

Helsing opened a factory in Plymouth in November as part of a £350 million investment in the UK.

Defence Secretary John Healey said unmanned submariner gliders being developed at the plant could play a “big part” in defending the country.

Germany apparently is not expected to place a follow-up order for the HX-2s unless Ukraine expresses interest, reports say.

Berlin pays for the drones which are then supplied to Ukrainian forces.

A German defence ministry spokesperson told Bloomberg the report on the performance of the HX-2 hadn’t been reviewed or approved.