Ukrainian Unveil Cetus-X Combat Drone with 3-in-1 Weapon Changing Battlefield Tactics

At the IDEF 2025 defense exhibition, a new Ukrainian-made drone called the Cetus-X was revealed—and it’s being seen as a major leap forward in tactical drone warfare. What makes this drone different? It’s a modular 3-in-1 system designed to take on multiple roles during combat, offering unmatched flexibility on the battlefield.

Built as a NATO Class I(c) unmanned aerial vehicle, the Cetus-X can be launched using a catapult and is built for long-range strike missions, operating as a loitering munition, a bomber, or a carrier for FPV (First-Person View) drones. That means the same aircraft can hunt, strike, or even carry smaller strike drones depending on the need.

The drone is impressively capable. It can hit targets 70 to 120 km away, and reach a top speed of 160 km/h. When loaded with weapons, it flies between 120 and 150 km/h, depending on the version. It’s packed with features like anti-jamming GPS, secure video transmission, and a telemetry link, making it harder to detect or disable electronically.

There are three versions of the Cetus-X, each customized for different missions:

• Loitering Munition: With a 10 kg payload, this version flies for 80 minutes, identifies and tracks targets on its own, and strikes directly.

• Bomber Variant: Also carrying a 10 kg guided ballistic bomb, this version stays airborne for up to 150 minutes, releasing its weapon from cruising altitude.

• FPV Drone Carrier: Carries up to four FPV drones under its wings, which are dropped near the enemy to carry out precision strikes, while the main drone flies back safely.

All versions share the same size—3.386 meters wingspan, 1.55 meters length—and have a maximum altitude of 1500 meters. They can be deployed in extreme weather, from -20°C to +50°C, and take just 15 to 25 minutes to prepare for launch. Each drone fits into a compact 1680 x 580 x 575 mm container.

While the manufacturer hasn’t been officially named, experts believe the Cetus-X reflects Ukraine’s growing edge in battlefield innovation, especially in drone warfare. As modern conflicts increasingly depend on unmanned systems for surveillance, precision strikes, and frontline support, platforms like Cetus-X are becoming essential for militaries around the world.

With its modular design and multi-role capability, the Cetus-X doesn’t just fill one tactical need—it fills three, giving commanders more flexibility and faster options in dynamic combat environments. It’s another sign that Ukraine’s drone revolution is far from slowing down.