Main image: FP-1 during the presentation (photo: mezha)
The Ukrainian long-range drone FP-1 is entering mass production at a pace of approximately 3,000 units per month. This matches the production volumes of Russia’s Shahed-136, but the cost of the FP-1 is significantly lower.
According to Defence Express, Fire Point, the company that introduced the FP-1 only in May 2025, is now producing about 100 drones per day. Each unit costs $55,000, whereas the Iranian Shahed was estimated at around $193,000 per unit back in 2023.
According to Ukraine’s Defence Intelligence, Russia’s current Shahed-136 production rate is also roughly hundreds of units per day. Thus, the Ukrainian FP-1 has reached the level of mass production, but due to different technological approaches, it is much cheaper to manufacture.
The key to lowering costs lies in the use of plywood as the main structural material. Drone components are laser-cut on CNC machines and connected with slots and fasteners. This enables rapid and inexpensive assembly of the fuselage, which is critical for a one-way kamikaze drone.
Shahed-136, on the other hand, uses more expensive technologies: carbon fiber materials, autoclave curing, and complex spars with ribs.
The engine also plays an important role. The Russian Shahed is equipped with a larger four-cylinder engine, while the FP-1 uses a simpler and cheaper two-cylinder motor, further reducing overall costs.
Choosing cheaper materials does not affect performance: the drone is designed as a single-use strike weapon, so long-term durability is unnecessary. At the same time, the high production speed allows Ukraine to compensate for losses and maintain strike intensity.
In a broader context, Ukraine is already developing a full range of long-range UAVs. In addition to the FP-1, Fire Point also produces the FP-5 “Flamingo” cruise missile, which has been featured in international media. This highlights how Ukraine’s defense industry is rapidly adapting to wartime demands and developing serial solutions capable of competing with Russia’s large-scale production.
