The Kosovar Prime Minister, Albin Kurti has recently declared that the Kosovo Security Forces/ KSF should develop into an army by the end of 2028.
While political observers worldwide keep a watchful eye on Kosovo in the wake of an election process that could lead to a period of uncertainty, caused by a lock in negotiations between the acting parties, there are also concerns regarding the security apparatus in the newest European country.
At the moment, Kosovo is still relying on international military forces in order to ensure a security climate between the confines of its borders. Since its independence from Serbia in 2008, Kosovo has benefited from the presence of international troops in order to ensure stability in the region.
Serbian politicians argued against the adoption of a legislative order that will allow the formation of a national army in Kosovo. Their main concern is tied with the fear of expulsion for the remaining Serbian communities in the Northern part of Kosovo.
At this time, the Kosovo Security Forces are predominantly tasked with civil defence, crisis response and ordinance disposal. By the adoption of the new law, Kosovo intends on expanding the existing forces from 2500 active personnel towards 5000.
The new development, regarding the reformation of the KSF have stirred concern amongst the European Members, the main feared being represented by the possibility of exacerbating inter-ethnic tensions into the region. However, the security situation has deeply changed in Europe and in the Balkans over the last decade or so. Dialogue between Pristina and Belgrade had come to a stalemate in 2023, and the idea of a stable geopolitical environment is long gone.
The local Serbian communities in Northern Kosovo, have great expectations from the new administration in Washington. The Serbian officials, have stated that negotiations in Brussels don`t produce results, emphasising the need of discussion regarding the creation of a new army in the region.
High Ranking Kosovar Army Officials, have stated that in order to form a proper deterring force the country needs at least 5 000 active personnel and 3 000 reserves with efficient defensive weaponry by the end of 2030. The KSF is not set on having fully-fledged air force or tanks, but likely to be equipped with combat helicopters, anti-aircraft rocket systems and anti-tank systems.
