The Kosovo Ministry of Defense (MoD) has clarified that it was not involved in any testing or authorization of the so-called “Skifter 1” suicide drone, recently presented by a company in Gjilan.
In a statement, the Ministry emphasized that neither it nor KFOR, the authority responsible for Kosovo’s airspace, provided permission for such activities.
“Based on our knowledge, no Kosovo institutions participated in any testing of this drone,” the Ministry said, highlighting that the drone has no official ties or authorization from the Ministry of Defense or KFOR.
The Ministry noted that in October 2025, it collaborated with the American Chamber of Commerce in Kosovo to evaluate local companies and innovators working on small drones for civilian and dual-use purposes. During that assessment, only rotor/helix-type drones were evaluated, and the Future Minds Academy company was awarded first prize for its rotor drone prototype, not for any fixed-wing drones such as the “Skifter 1”.
The MoD reiterated that in Kosovo, airspace flight permits are issued by the KFOR Commander in coordination with ASHNA, and there is no record of the company obtaining such authorization.
“We encourage and welcome any technological innovation in the drone sector aimed at domestic development and production, as long as it complies with current legislation and relevant standards,” the Ministry said.
