The Kosovo Security Force (KSF) has been equipped with RQ-20 Puma unmanned aerial vehicles, purchased from the United States. This step is considered an important advancement in strengthening KSF’s capabilities, but aviation experts warn that Kosovo must also build a professional, educated, and well-trained staff to manage these drones.
The acquisition of Puma drones is seen as a necessary addition to enhance Kosovo’s unmanned aerial systems. Yet, according to aviation expert Afrim Aziri, technology alone is not enough—human capacity must match it.
“In today’s wars, drones have become decisive tools. The Russia-Ukraine war has shown that the battlefield is dominated by the air, not the ground, and that unmanned aerial vehicles are delivering the most impactful results. Kosovo must therefore develop its own drone pilots and technical staff,” Aziri emphasized.
As for their use, Aziri highlighted that Kosovo’s drones will serve defensive purposes:
“We are not a country with territorial ambitions. These drones are crucial for border monitoring, surveillance, intelligence gathering, cyber defense, and overall protection through advanced aerial systems.”
Security expert Arben Dashevci added that Kosovo, as a democratic state allied with democratic partners, must build its defense capacities in line with NATO standards—especially in the face of constant threats from Serbia.
“The Republic of Kosovo must prepare like any modern state in the EU or its strategic partners worldwide. Developing advanced defensive capacities is not optional, it is a necessity,” said Dashevci.
At a time when regional security remains fragile, strengthening unmanned aerial capabilities is viewed as a strategic and urgent requirement for Kosovo’s safety and sovereignty.
