According to the prestigious online platform Global Firepower, the Kosovo Security Force (KSF) is ranked 138th worldwide for military strength in 2026, among 145 countries assessed globally. Serbia remains the strongest military power in the region, while the United States of America continues to be the world’s undisputed top military power.
The third and final phase of the transformation of the Kosovo Security Force into a fully-fledged army—launched in 2025 and set to conclude in 2028, including the development of air capabilities—is already yielding results, reflected in Kosovo’s gradual rise in military strength rankings.
The Global Firepower platform, which specializes in evaluating military capabilities, has placed Kosovo three positions higher than last year, ranking it 138th among 145 countries.
Military Capabilities
The Kosovo Army currently operates Turkish Bayraktar drones and U.S.-made Puma unmanned aerial vehicles, and plans are underway to acquire U.S. Black Hawk helicopters. However, according to the Global Firepower database, Kosovo is not yet classified as having air power, as the ranking only accounts for piloted combat and transport aircraft and helicopters.
According to Global Firepower estimates, Kosovo’s defense forces could potentially mobilize over 17,500 personnel, including 9,500 armed soldiers, of whom 4,000 are reservists.
The Kosovo Army is reported to possess 1,357 armored vehicles, with 745 fully operational and ready for immediate deployment.
For national defense, Kosovo reportedly consumes the equivalent of 16,000 barrels of oil. With one barrel containing 159 liters, this amounts to over 2.5 million liters of fuel used for military purposes.
Regional Comparison
Serbia, described as a continuous security threat to Kosovo, ranks 63rd globally, making it the most powerful military force in the region. It maintains 22,500 active personnel, 2,000 reservists, and nearly 600,000 individuals available for mobilization.
Serbia’s air force remains significant, with 115 military aircraft, including combat and transport planes and helicopters. It also operates 242 tanks (145 active) and over 7,000 armored vehicles, more than half of which are ready for immediate use. Its defense budget exceeds $2.7 billion.
Albania has improved its position by one rank, now placed 77th globally, with a defense budget of over €700 million, nearly 8,000 active soldiers, approximately 1,500 armored vehicles, 33 patrol vessels, and 20 aircraft, mostly helicopters.
Croatia ranks 73rd, while North Macedonia is placed 114th.
Global Powers
The United States remains the world’s unrivaled military superpower, with an annual defense budget exceeding €831 billion, leading in land, air, naval, and technological capabilities. It is followed by Russia, China, India, South Korea, France, Japan, the United Kingdom, Turkey, with Italy closing the top ten.
