AeroVironment has won a $30.9 million contract to provide Germany with next-generation Puma unmanned aerial systems (UAS) under the Luftgestützte Aufklärung mit Unbemannten Systemen (LARUS) airborne reconnaissance program.
Awarded through a NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA) acquisition framework, the contract covers Puma AE (All Environment) and Puma LE (Long Endurance) aircraft.
The package includes electro-optical and infrared sensors with laser designation, signals intelligence payloads, vertical takeoff and landing kits, Tomahawk Kinesis-enabled ground control stations, secure communications relays, and autonomy upgrade kits.
Germany will also receive launch systems, field repair equipment, batteries, operator training, and sustainment support.
Shipment of the drones is scheduled through the end of 2026.
“This is the first time a customer has taken essentially the entire Puma capability stack in a single program, which sends a strong signal to our global user community,” said Trace Stevenson, president of autonomous systems at AeroVironment.
“It’s a powerful validation that our continuous investment … has transformed Puma from a legacy tactical UAS into a modern, networked reconnaissance node that can plug seamlessly into joint and allied operations.”
Promoting ‘Interoperability and Resilience’
Managed by Germany’s Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support, the LARUS program is modernizing the Bundeswehr’s Puma fleet with upgraded reconnaissance capabilities.
AeroVironment said the contract complements that effort, framing the deal as a “decisive step” to “acquiring the full spectrum” of capabilities that are “built on a proven platform.”
“Europe is a critical growth market for [AeroVironment], and our collaboration with NSPA and Germany on LARUS is a clear example of how we’re deepening our partnerships across the region,” said Chris Black, senior director of business development for AeroVironment Europe.
“By delivering a fully modernized Puma fleet tailored for European missions and infrastructure, we’re not only supporting Germany’s operational needs, we’re also helping to strengthen allied interoperability and resilience across NATO’s eastern and central theaters.”
