Besides Javelin missiles, Kosovo seeks to buy more weapons

But Kosovo Defence Minister Liridona Gashi's political adviser, Liridona Gashi, told the REL that she cannot find out what kind of other weapons are being required from Kosovo “because it constitutes classified information”.

She explained that the request to buy the Yavelin missiles was made under a preliminary plan to meet the needs of the Kosovo Security Force (FSK) and was not caused by incidents in northern Kosovo, even though she added that the “terrorist attack on Banjsk, as well as continuing threats from Serbia are a concern”. “Weapons Enhancement means investment in the fulfillment of the KSF constitutional mission, in the defence of Kosovo territory and in ensuring security for all our citizens”, Gashi said, repeating the position given by official Washington that “instability in Europe will increase”.

Kosovo accused Serbia of attacking in Zvecan Banjska, in Serb-run northern Kosovo, on 24 September last year, when a police officer was killed. Belgrade denied those accusations.

The responsibility for the attack was taken by Milan Radoic, former vice president of the Serbian List, the largest Serb party in Kosovo, which has Belgrade's support.

The international community strongly condemned the attack in Banjska and demanded that the perpetrators be brought to justice. In the days following the attack, Kosovo Police found an arsenal of weapons and other equipment left behind by an armed Serb group.

Why is Kosovo armed?

Rashit Qalaj, a member of the Parliamentary Commission for Security and Defence Affairs, from the opposition Democratic Party of Kosovo, estimates that Kosovo is obliged to be more prepared in terms of equipment and weapons following the attack on Banjska and frequent threats from Serbia to establish combat readiness about borders with Kosovo.

Similar thoughts share experts from the defence intelligence agency Janes, headquartered in Croydon, Great Britain.

Serbia has been following a militant line recently and specifically Kosovo has had to face instability in the Serb-dominated north, for which they blame the Serbian government”, the REL agency says.

They also add that the invasion of Ukraine from Russia is seen as “warning about what could happen in the future since Serbia has listed itself alongside Russia”.

This subject is repeated by Qalay, who says that even Western European countries have begun to reinforce armies after the start of the war in Ukraine in February 2022.

Kosovo, too, should increase its capacities, both in personnel and in terms of weapons procurement and military equipment”, says Qalaj.

He added that Kosovo should also be developed professionally in order to prepare for the use of various combat equipment.

Meanwhile, Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani announced on January 12th that the country “is entering a new and crucial phase of strengthening state defence capacities”, which includes the development of the Kosovo Security Force in line with NATO standards.

She expressed her conviction that the American Congress will support the sale of the Yavelin system for Kosovo to provide them with “enhance security in Kosovo, in the region and in Europe”.

On January 11th, the administration of the US president, Joe Biden, announced Congress on the proposed sale of arms to Kosovo as part of the US programme for foreign military sales. Through this American Army programme, the American government and a foreign government can reach intergovernmental agreements to provide security assistance.

Kosovo's request includes the purchase of 246 missiles Javelin FGM-12F and monitoring equipment, the US Agency for Co-operation in Defence and Security announced.

According to the Weapons Export Control Act, Congress in this case has 30 days to consider demand, but no approval is needed. This period is needed before the letter is issued for sale approval.

The Bazaar was planned before the Banjska attack.

President Osmani has said that in connection with the foreign military sales programme, Antony Blinken had talked with US Secretary of State since July 2022.

That this acquisition was part of a plan prepared even before the Banjska attack, has confirmed Liridona Gashi from the Ministry of Defence, according to KSF needs and plans for her transformation.

The process of transforming the KSF into the Armed Forces of Kosovo has started in December 2018, when Kosovo's Assembly adopted legal changes to change the KSF's mandate. This process is scheduled to last ten years until 2028.

The Kosovo Security Force currently has about 2,500 members. After the transition period, this number is expected to increase to more than 7,500 and include active and reserve members.

Earlier, the US Agency for Defence Security Co-operation announced on January 11th that this sale of weapons “will improve Kosovo's defence capabilities in long term, protect sovereignty and territorial integrity, and that to meet its national defence requirements”.

What do they say from Serbia?

Serbia's president, Aleksandar Vuciq, named the news of the Javelin “great disappointment, but added that Serbia and the US will work on preserving Serbian-American relations”.

The “for us is of great importance that peace in the region will not be destroyed and that Serbia will continue to act responsibly and contribute to stability in the Balkans”, he said.

Serbian Defence Minister Milos Vuchevic told Belgrade portal Kurir that Serbia cannot change US politics, but that it can strengthen its defence capacity and that there will be an adequate “response”. / REL