The company Helsing has announced a new order for 6,000 HX-2 kamikaze drones for Ukraine. They are already supplying their simpler loitering munitions, the HF-1, to Ukraine under a contract for 4,000 units.
In addition to announcing the new order, Helsing has revealed the opening of its new factory in Germany, which will enable the production of up to 1,000 HX-2 kamikaze drones per month.
Helsing introduced the HX-2 kamikaze drone at the end of 2024. At that time, these drones were unjustly dubbed "mini-Taurus." The HX-2 is a loitering munition featuring X-shaped wings and tail fins, similar to the Russian "Lancet."
A significant advantage of the HX-2 compared to its Russian counterpart is its software, which is the company's specialty, giving it machine vision capabilities. It also has robust communication systems, making it less vulnerable to electronic warfare measures.
Moreover, thanks to Helsing Altra software, multiple HX-2 drones can form a swarm controlled by a single operator, attacking targets sequentially, which facilitates the execution of larger missions. It is noted that the HX-2 has several variants of warheads, with only the cumulative type named, designed to target armored vehicles.
Overall, other characteristics of the HX-2 are very similar to its Russian counterpart. They share the same overall weight (12 kilograms) and likely the same warhead weight (the "Lancet" has a warhead of up to 3 kg, while the HX-2's is unspecified but is estimated to be similar based on the overall weight).
They also have approximately similar speeds, with the maximum speed of the HX-2 being 220 km/h, while the "Lancet" can reach up to 300 km/h, although their cruising speeds during typical operations will be nearly the same. However, one of the key differences is the range. The "Lancet" has a range of 40-60 km, while the HX-2 boasts a range of 100 km, allowing it to destroy enemy long-range artillery from a safe distance away from the frontline.
In addition to its impressive specifications, Helsing positions it as a drone for mass production with significantly lower costs, although the price remains undisclosed, it is likely lower than that of other Western counterparts, which is undoubtedly a plus.