KYIV — Ukraine has identified a previously unidentified Shahed-like unmanned aerial vehicle used in long-range strikes as the MICH 2000, a domestically produced strike drone based on the Chinese ZTK-150, also known as the Z150.
Details of the system were reported by Ukrainian outlet Oboronka on August 12, following journalists’ visit to a manufacturing facility involved in producing the drone. The report provides details about the MICH 2000’s development, production and operational use by the Security Service of Ukraine’s Special Operations Center “Alpha.”
From Chinese Platform to Ukrainian Production
The MICH 2000 program began in late 2023, when Ukrainian engineers traveled to China to acquire civilian unmanned systems for military adaptation.
The original plan involved importing the Chinese ZTK-150 platform. After China tightened restrictions on the export of civilian drones that could be used for military purposes, Ukrainian specialists moved toward domestic production.
According to the report, intermediaries initially offered technology transfer and training, but the factory later refused a direct agreement. Ukrainian specialists documented production processes during pilot training and returned with eight Chinese drones and trained operators. The design was subsequently reverse-engineered and adapted for production in Ukraine.
The first test flights took place in summer 2024. Early testing identified several problems, including incorrect weight distribution, propeller separation caused by engine vibration and vulnerability to electronic warfare.
The development team subsequently modified the airframe, electronics and construction methods. The first three MICH 2000 drones were used in combat missions in October 2024. One was shot down, while the other two reportedly missed their targets by about 10 meters.
Following these initial missions, the SBU Special Operations Center “Alpha” approved serial production. The system has remained in service since autumn 2024 and is operated exclusively by Alpha, according to the report.
MICH 2000 Specifications
The MICH 2000 has a configuration similar to the Iranian Shahed-136, but its most recognizable feature is a pair of forward canards. Earlier sightings resulted in the drone being identified by observers as the Chinese ZTK-150, Egyptian Jabbar-150 or Turkish Troy T20.
The manufacturer says the MICH 2000 has a maximum range of up to 2,000 kilometers and can carry a 25–60 kg warhead. The system is available in eight configurations for medium- and long-range missions.
Operators can configure several elements of the drone depending on the mission, including:
- Communications systems, including radio, digital and Starlink options
- Fuel-tank capacity
- Warhead type
- Terminal guidance systems
The basic version is reported to cost approximately $48,000.
The manufacturer also states that about 85% of the drone's components are now localized in Ukraine. Domestic production includes the flying-wing airframes, engines, warheads, initiation boards and rocket boosters.
Current production is reported at approximately 6,000 drones per year, with the facility working toward an annual output of 10,000 units.
Combat Operations
According to information provided in the report, Alpha personnel have launched thousands of MICH 2000 drones against Russian military targets in rear areas and in temporarily occupied territories. The manufacturer says the drones have struck hundreds of sites.
One of the reported operations involved the Engels-2 strategic aviation base in Russia's Saratov region on the night of July 16, 2026. Satellite imagery reportedly confirmed that a Tu-95MS strategic bomber was hit, with its rear section completely destroyed and the aircraft assessed as beyond repair.
On the morning of July 4, 2026, MICH 2000 drones were also used against an optical-mechanical plant in Azov, Rostov region.
Another large-scale operation targeted the port of Ust-Luga, where more than 20 MICH 2000 drones reportedly reached their targets simultaneously. Other reported targets include a cargo ship near Novorossiysk and additional military and industrial facilities.
MICH+ Variant Under Development
The manufacturer is also developing a new variant known as the MICH+.
Unlike the MICH 2000, the MICH+ is planned to omit the forward canards. It is designed for medium-range missions and is expected to carry a 70 kg warhead with a range of up to 600 kilometers.
The development of the MICH+ indicates that the MICH family is being expanded into different configurations for varying ranges and payload requirements.
The MICH 2000 program also shows how Ukraine has moved from attempting to acquire an imported civilian UAV platform toward localized production, with the manufacturer reporting that most of the system's components are now produced domestically.
The Oboronka report, prepared in coordination with the manufacturer and the SBU, provides the first detailed public account of the MICH 2000 program and its reported operational use.
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