Kosovo Drone Production Initiative Expands to Four Models
A private Kosovar drone manufacturer has begun producing four distinct unmanned aerial vehicle types domestically, covering small FPV platforms to larger tactical systems.
Kosovo’s nascent UAV sector has entered a new phase with the commencement of local production across four different drone types, industry figures say. Ridvan Aliu, a Kosovo-based drone designer and producer, stated that manufacturing has started with smaller first-person view (FPV) unmanned aerial vehicles, while larger platforms remain under development.
The initial batch includes light FPV drones that can be built quickly and in numbers, with one facility reportedly capable of producing 16–20 units per day. Alongside these, teams are developing larger systems, including a fixed-wing model with a five-meter wingspan dubbed “Vitol” and another design with a 14-meter wingspan still in construction. The Vitol is described as capable of carrying payloads up to around 50 kilograms and has an initial operational radius of roughly 20 km, with extended range testing scheduled offshore due to Kosovo’s airspace limitations.
In parallel, Aljiu has highlighted a defence-oriented drone project developed in cooperation with a local academy that is intended both to support student training and to meet requirements set by Kosovo’s Ministry of Defense. This platform, referenced in reports as “Soko,” is positioned as potentially relevant for export markets once fully realised. Another advanced design, known as the K1, is said to have a range of up to 1 000 km and is intended for defensive missions without a recovery profile.
Aljiu indicated ongoing collaboration with Kosovo defence authorities throughout 2025 and anticipates that a newly formed government will take concrete steps to further integrate domestic drone capabilities with national defence planning.
