Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky acknowledged that Ukraine is facing difficulties producing drones designed to intercept Russian unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), particularly because of a shortage of engines, the Financial Times reported Friday.

Ukraine imports a significant share of the engines it uses and produces some domestically, but current supplies remain insufficient, Zelensky told the newspaper.

The shortage comes as Russia has expanded its use of faster, jet-powered drones, creating additional pressure on Ukraine’s air defense network. The Financial Times reported that Ukrainian manufacturers are developing interceptor drones to counter the new threat, but production is constrained by shortages of engines and funding.

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Kiev struggles to keep pace with Russian drone warfare

In August, Serhiy Beskrestnov, an adviser to Ukraine’s defense minister, acknowledged that Ukraine was lagging behind Russia in the drone race and was struggling to develop interceptors capable of countering jet-powered UAVs.

The challenge has become more urgent as Russia has increased the deployment of jet-powered drones. According to reporting cited by the Wall Street Journal, Russia launched around 2,000 such drones in September, compared with approximately 350 in June.

The higher speed of these UAVs makes them more difficult to intercept using conventional drone-based systems, increasing Kiev’s reliance on other air-defense assets.

F-16 maintenance creates another air defense challenge

Zelensky also told the Financial Times that he was dissatisfied with the amount of time Ukrainian F-16 fighter jets spend undergoing maintenance and repairs in Europe.

The issue has drawn further attention following a Wall Street Journal report that more than half of Ukraine’s F-16 fleet is currently affected by maintenance delays. The newspaper reported that phase inspections that typically take two to six weeks in the United States can take as long as 40 weeks in Belgium.

The maintenance delays are particularly significant because F-16s are being used to counter aerial threats. 

The Wall Street Journal reported that, at the current pace of operations and maintenance, Ukraine could face a severe shortage of combat-ready F-16s by the end of 2026. The Ukrainian Air Force declined to comment on the report, while Belgian maintenance provider Sabena Aerospace Engineering cited operational security concerns.

Growing pressure on Ukraine’s air defense

The difficulties with interceptor-drone production and F-16 maintenance highlight the logistical and industrial pressures facing Ukraine’s air defense capabilities.

While Kiev continues to develop domestic drone and missile technologies, the need for imported components, Western aircraft, and overseas maintenance remains significant.

The reported shortages come as Russia continues to develop and deploy increasingly fast and sophisticated UAVs, forcing Ukraine to adapt its air-defense architecture while dealing with constraints in production, maintenance, and available equipment.

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