Ukraine and the Czech Republic successfully complete the development of a jet engine for drones

The Ukrainian company, together with the Czech company PBS, has completed the development of the AI-PBS-350 jet engine for drones and has already launched production.

Here's What We Know

The engine, designed specifically for UAVs and other military needs, was first presented at the Farnborough Air Show in July 2024. Joint work on the project began in June last year.

According to PBS Group CEO Pavel Čechal, mass production of the AI-PBS-350 will begin at the plant in Velika Bytes (Czech Republic) in the first half of 2025. Initial volumes will be dozens of units per year with a gradual increase to hundreds. At the same time, the deliveries already allow the production to be used at Ukrainian enterprises.

When asked about the possibility of exporting engines to foreign customers, Cechal said that Ukraine's needs are a priority. However, the cooperation between the two companies is developing rapidly, so Czech facilities will soon be able to supply the global market.

The PBS Group reported a significant increase in jet engine production - in 2024, volumes increased by 300% compared to last year, and in 2025, growth is expected to be over 200%. According to Cekhal, the company has already moved from tens to hundreds of engines per year and plans to produce thousands of units.

"In fact, we have moved from dozens of engines produced to hundreds, and now we intend to move to thousands," he said.

The company has production facilities in the Czech Republic and is also building new ones in the United States and India to gain a foothold in the local markets. Cechal believes that the latter market alone is capable of consuming thousands of jet engines, and that cooperation with the Ukrainian company will help them to do so.

Source: PBS