Newsletters
Kosovo has taken delivery of thousands of Turkish-made Skydagger kamikaze drones, arriving three months earlier than expected under a contract signed last December with Turkish defense manufacturer Baykar, Prime Minister Albin Kurti announced.
The shipment arrived Wednesday at Pristina's Adem Jashari International Airport in containers, marking a significant expansion of the Kosovo Security Force's capabilities. Dozens of FSK soldiers have already completed training on operating the explosive-laden drones, which are designed to strike both mobile and stationary targets.
"The kamikaze drones we procured, also known as RTF (Ready to Fly) type FPV, are drones equipped with explosives to strike the enemy's mobile and fixed targets," Kurti said in a social media statement. "The contract was signed in December of last year with the renowned Turkish company Baykar, the parent company of the Skydagger manufacturer."
Skydagger drones operate as first-person view systems, allowing pilots to control them in real-time through video feeds. The models come equipped with dual camera systems—thermal and daylight—enabling operations in various weather conditions and lighting environments. Technical specifications indicate the drones can reach speeds of 130 kilometers per hour with a maximum range of 10 kilometers.
The acquisition represents Kosovo's continued investment in unmanned aerial systems. The country already operates Bayraktar TB2 drones and Puma unmanned aircraft, both of which have been deployed by militaries worldwide in recent conflicts.
Kurti emphasized that the new drones would strengthen the FSK's striking power and align with contemporary warfare tactics. "We continue to build a competent and compatible force in line with new technological developments and modern warfare tactics," he said.
Türkiye has emerged as a major exporter of unmanned aerial systems in recent years, with Baykar's products seeing combat use in conflicts from Libya to Ukraine. The Skydagger line, produced by a Baykar subsidiary founded by pilot Mehmet Oztekin, represents the company's entry into the kamikaze drone market—systems designed for single-use strikes rather than reusable reconnaissance missions.
The delivery comes amid ongoing tensions in the Balkans, where Kosovo's sovereignty remains disputed by Serbia, which does not recognize its independence declared in 2008.
1 min read
1 min read
