Kosovo will host “Defender Europe 2025”, the largest international military exercise ever conducted in the country, under the command of the United States Army Europe and Africa, starting Monday, May 26, and running through June 9.
In a statement, the Ministry of Defense of Kosovo announced that the exercise will involve convoy movements from Kosovo Security Force (KSF) bases toward the Gjakova region, including the Gjakova Airport and the Babaj i Bokës military range.
“This movement is part of the execution of the international exercise ‘Defender Europe 2025’. We ask for the citizens’ understanding during this period,” the ministry stated.
This large-scale operation will showcase KSF’s operational readiness, its interoperability with NATO standards, and its evolving combat cooperation with key regional and international allies, including the United States, Albania, Croatia, North Macedonia, and Bulgaria.
The exercise comes two years after Kosovo was excluded from Defender Europe 2023, a move prompted by heightened tensions in the north of the country. This year’s inclusion is seen as a significant step forward, affirming Kosovo’s growing strategic importance and reliability as a security partner in the region.
By hosting this exercise, Kosovo is not only reinforcing its commitment to collective defense, but also demonstrating that the Kosovo Security Force is evolving into a credible force aligned with Western military structures and ready to assume greater responsibilities on the international stage.
