The United States has accepted Kosovo’s request to purchase Javelin anti-tank missiles, a decision that has elicited a response of “deep disappointment” from Serbia. This move marks a significant development in the armament capabilities of the Kosovo Security Force (KSF) and reflects the ongoing geopolitical dynamics in the Balkans.
Kosovo’s Ministry of Defense stated that the acquisition of Javelin missiles is part of enhancing the capabilities of the KSF. This military agreement falls under the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program, a U.S. military initiative aimed at providing security assistance and serving as a vital tool of U.S. foreign policy. Under this program, the U.S. government and a foreign government can reach intergovernmental agreements, known as Letters of Offer and Acceptance.
The demand for the Javelin system has increased over the past year. Lockheed Martin, the manufacturer of these weapons, has reported a doubling of the current production from 2,100 units to 3,960 units annually by 2026. The Javelin missile has been in production since 1994 and was first used in Iraq and Afghanistan. It gained prominence after the Russian aggression in Ukraine, extensively used by Ukrainian forces against Russian tanks.
Serbia’s reaction to the U.S. decision comes amid ongoing tensions in the region. Serbia’s President, Aleksandar Vučić, expressed his disappointment but stated his commitment to maintaining peace and contributing to stability in the Balkans. Kosovo, a former Serbian province which declared independence in 2008, is recognized as a sovereign state by the U.S. and most Western nations. However, Serbia, along with allies Russia and China, do not recognize Kosovo’s statehood.
This development is part of a larger trend of military modernization and capability enhancement in the Balkans. In December 2018, the Parliament of Kosovo passed a law transforming the Kosovo Security Force into the Kosovo Army, a process expected to take ten years and not replace NATO forces, which continue to maintain around 5,000 peacekeeping troops in Kosovo, hundreds of whom are American.
The decision by the U.S. to provide Javelin anti-tank missiles to Kosovo underlines the strategic importance of the region to U.S. foreign policy and the ongoing complexities of Balkan geopolitics.
