Kosovo Army awaits Puma LE Long Endurance unmanned aircraft systems

English

Gazeta Express

25/01/2022 19:27

The Kosovo Security Force (KSF) is expected to be equipped with 40 Puma LE reconnaissance UASs purchased from the US.

The Kosovo Armed Forces are to receive the first RQ-20 Puma Long Endurance (LE) UAS from AeroVironment via the FMS programme, the US Department of Defence revealed on 21 January. Sole bidder AeroVironment was due to complete work on the $11.01 million contract on 25 January.

Shephard Defence Insight estimates that Kosovo has ordered 40 units in total, based on an estimated unit cost of $215,000. Puma LE features the AeroVironment-made Mantis i45 gimballed payload with EO/IR cameras and a laser illuminator. Its standard 5.5h mission endurance can be extended to 6.5h with the installation of a Puma Smart 2500 battery. US troops serving in Kosovo as part of the KFOR peacekeeping mission are known to have used Puma for border surveillance missions.