Ukraine receives first batch of Finnish-made Zeus drones in expanding partnership

Defense Express reported the information.

Summa Defence, the Finnish defense conglomerate, announced on December 23 that its drone division, Summa Drones Oyj, has completed the first delivery of Zeus FPV drones to the Ukrainian Defense Forces. While the company declined to disclose the financial terms or the exact number of units in the initial shipment, officials expressed satisfaction with the collaboration's progress.

According to Jussi Holopainen, the company's director, the Zeus drones have undergone extensive battlefield testing in Ukraine's challenging combat environment and received positive feedback from Ukrainian military operators. "This successfully launched project will be extended with increased production volumes in 2026," Holopainen stated, signaling confidence in the platform's performance.

The Zeus drone family comprises three variants designed for different tactical applications. The smallest is a 2.5-inch micro-drone with a maximum range of 2 kilometers, flight time of 8-10 minutes at moderate speed, and payload capacity of up to 300 grams while weighing just 225 grams itself. The larger 11-inch and 13-inch models offer two configuration options: with and without fiber-optic control systems. The fiber-optic variants can reach distances exceeding 15-20 kilometers while carrying payloads of 3 kilograms, while radio-controlled versions extend beyond 20 kilometers with 4-5 kilogram capacity.

The manufacturing initiative represents a broader strategic partnership between Finnish and Ukrainian defense sectors. Summa Defence first announced plans in November 2024 to establish a drone production facility in collaboration with Ukrainian partners, with full-scale manufacturing slated to begin earlier this year. Beyond aerial drones, the company has outlined ambitions to produce ground-based robotic systems and maritime drones as part of the partnership.

Company officials emphasized that Zeus drones are dual-use products, and this year has seen the establishment of "industrial-scale supply" capabilities. The ultimate objective, according to Summa Defence, is to create battle-proven solutions that can meet the requirements of European defense customers, positioning Ukraine's combat experience as a proving ground for next-generation military technology destined for wider NATO and EU markets.