Czech Firm PBS Unveils Its 'TJ200' Most Powerful Jet Engine Yet for Drones and Missiles

Czech aerospace company PBS Group has introduced its most powerful jet engine to date, the PBS TJ200, aimed at transforming the capabilities of drones, cruise missiles, and unmanned systems. The engine was officially unveiled at the 55th International Paris Air Show in a ceremony attended by the Czech Minister for Industry and Trade, Lukáš Vlček.

Developed at PBS Group’s facility in Velká Bíteš, the TJ200 engine represents a major leap in performance for the company. It delivers a sustained thrust of 2,280 newtons and can push up to 2,700 newtons for short bursts of up to 30 seconds—marking a significant boost over previous engine models offered by PBS.

What sets the TJ200 apart is not just its thrust, but its integration of modern aerospace technologies. The engine includes a state-of-the-art FADEC (Full Authority Digital Engine Control) system for precision control, a BLDC (brushless DC) starter-generator for efficient ignition and energy management, and a fuel-lubricated system that enhances performance reliability. Despite its powerful output, the engine maintains low fuel consumption, making it ideal for long-range missions.

Designed for use in a range of aerial and naval defense applications—including unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), cruise missiles, target drones, and marine-based drones—the TJ200 combines high performance with compact dimensions. Its structure is built to resist harsh conditions, including seawater, broadening its operational scope across different environments.

PBS Group CEO Ing. Petr Kádner emphasized that the new engine was developed in response to current market demands. “We are already receiving preliminary orders from major global manufacturers,” he said, noting the TJ200 is poised to become the company’s flagship product in the years ahead.

The engine is already attracting international attention, with its potential applications aligning with global defense trends that favor lighter, faster, and more autonomous platforms. The increased thrust capacity enables drones and missiles to fly farther and faster, while maintaining the flexibility required for precision strikes or extended reconnaissance.

In parallel with the TJ200, PBS is also collaborating with Ukraine’s Ivchenko Progress on a larger engine—the AI-PBS-350. This joint project, first revealed at the Farnborough International Airshow in 2024, aims to power long-range cruise missiles and larger UAVs, indicating PBS’s expanding role in the international defense engine market.

With the launch of the TJ200, PBS Group not only strengthens its position in the aerospace sector but also signals the growing importance of advanced propulsion systems in the evolving landscape of modern warfare.