- Finland’s Summa Defence Plc said it delivered the first batch of Zeus FPV drones to Ukraine’s defense forces and plans to increase production volumes in 2026 after combat testing.
- The Zeus FPV drone family includes multiple variants with conventional and fiber-optic control, designed for ranges from short-distance missions to long-range strike roles.
Finnish company Summa Defence Plc has launched production of Zeus FPV drones in several configurations, with the systems primarily supplied to Ukraine’s defense forces, according to reporting by Defense Express.
The Finnish defense group Summa Defence Plc said in a press release dated December 23 that it delivered the first batch of Zeus FPV drones to the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The drones are produced within the company’s unmanned aerial systems division, which specializes in full-cycle drone manufacturing. The value of the contract and the number of drones delivered in the first batch were not disclosed.
According to the company, the Zeus drones were supplied earlier this year as part of a move toward industrial-scale production. Summa Defence Plc described the drones as dual-use products and said it has established the capability for what it called “industrial supply” of the systems during 2025.
Company officials said the drones have already been tested in combat conditions in Ukraine. Jussi Holopainen, a director at Summa Defence Plc, said the systems received positive feedback from Ukrainian military personnel.
“The project, which has successfully started, will be extended with increased production volumes in 2026,” Holopainen said.
Summa Defence Plc stated that the long-term goal of the Zeus program is to create a battle-proven solution that could later be offered to European customers. The company has positioned Ukraine as a key testing ground for refining drone designs under real combat conditions.
Defense Express reported that Summa Defence Plc had announced plans as early as November 2024 to establish a drone manufacturing enterprise together with Ukrainian partners. At that time, the company said full-scale production was planned for early 2025. In addition to aerial drones, Summa Defence Plc previously outlined intentions to produce ground robotic systems and maritime drones.
The Zeus FPV drone family includes three main variants, tailored for different operational roles. The smallest version is a 2.5-inch micro-drone with a maximum range of up to 2 kilometers. At an average flight speed, it has an endurance of 8 to 10 minutes and can carry a payload of up to 300 grams, with the drone itself weighing 225 grams.
Larger Zeus variants include 11-inch and 13-inch models, each available in versions with fiber-optic control and without it. According to published specifications, the 11-inch variant with fiber-optic control has a range of about 15 kilometers while carrying a payload of 3 kilograms. Without fiber-optic control, its range exceeds 20 kilometers, with a payload capacity of 4 to 5 kilograms.
The 13-inch variant, also offered with fiber-optic control, can exceed a range of 20 kilometers while carrying a payload of 3 kilograms, the report said.