AeroVironment (AV) has also signed a contract with the Netherlands to expand and modernize its Puma UAS fleet with “expanded capabilities”, according to the company.
The Dutch MoD plans to acquire the Puma LE, a UAV which can be equipped with several parts from the Puma AE family.
A larger variant of the AE platforms, units like the Puma 3 AE already operated by the Netherlands can be equipped into the UAV. Both offer the Dutch Army with scalable ISR capabilities, the company claimed.
While no overall contract value for this procurement was given, Shephard has estimated a flyaway cost for the Puma LE based on its MTOW, range and comparable UAVs of US$215,000.
The Netherlands will further modernise its Puma 3 AE which will “boost survivability, strengthen communications and add the option for vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) to maximize operational agility” as stated by AeroVironment.
Efforts to modernise the Puma 3 AE were already underway in 2024, with AeroVironment announcing its PS2500 battery which could allow for extended endurance of the UAS for up to three hours.