- AeroVironment (AVAV, Financial) secures a contract with the Dutch Ministry of Defence to modernize the Netherlands' Puma™ UAS fleet.
- The modernization includes enhancements such as VTOL capabilities and upgrades for GPS-denied environments.
- The Netherlands expands its UAS portfolio with the acquisition of Puma LE for extended endurance and range.
AeroVironment, Inc. (NASDAQ: AVAV) has announced a significant contract with the Dutch Ministry of Defence to enhance the capabilities of the Netherlands' Puma™ Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) fleet. This agreement will see the existing Puma 3 AE systems outfitted with advanced features like VTOL (vertical take-off and landing) capabilities, improving their situational awareness and operational effectiveness even in GPS-denied and contested settings.
Under this deal, the Netherlands also plans to expand its UAS capabilities by acquiring the Puma LE, known for its extended operational range and endurance. These systems are designed to support both military and civilian missions by providing scalable Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities.
The deployment of these enhanced and new Puma systems is already in progress, ensuring rapid integration into Dutch forces at the squad and platoon levels. The systems are recognized for their effectiveness in high-threat environments, as demonstrated by their usage in combat zones like Ukraine.
Trace Stevenson, President of Autonomous Systems at AeroVironment, emphasized that the expanded partnership with the Dutch Ministry aligns with the increasing demand for adaptable, mission-ready uncrewed systems within NATO. This partnership highlights AeroVironment's commitment to delivering real-time intelligence and battlefield agility through its proven UAS platforms.
