Recent statements and reporting by Serbian analysts and pro-regime media have turned Kosovo’s procurement of U.S. defense systems and broader investments in defense and armament into a highly publicized topic, often framed in an alarmist, panic-driven narrative.
The immediate trigger was the December agreement between Kosovo and U.S. company AM General for the acquisition of modern, mobile artillery systems — the HUMVEE Hawkeye 105 mm.
The deal was made public on 17 December by Kosovo’s Minister of Defense, Ejup Maqedonci, sparking intense reactions across Serbian media and public discourse. Even Serbian security analysts acknowledged the significance of the purchase.
Goran Janićević, a Serbian security expert speaking on RTS, highlighted the uniqueness of the acquisition:
“This is the first time that someone, as a legal entity, has purchased this type of system.”
However, Janićević and other Serbian commentators framed Kosovo’s military modernization as a threat:
“Pristina is buying Black Hawk helicopters and Humvee armored vehicles from the United States. Next year it will receive the first of 246 U.S.-made Javelin anti-tank missiles. By the end of 2026, an ammunition factory in Gjakova and a drone production facility in Gjilan will be operational. Over the past four years, Pristina has invested €430 million in its armed units, with plans to double that to €1 billion over the next four years,” he said.
The narrative was further amplified by Serbian pro-government media. BLIC reported:
“Pristina is arming itself: purchasing U.S. artillery systems that combine a 105 mm howitzer with a light military vehicle,”
while B92 and Telegraf RS ran similar alarmist headlines, warning of Kosovo’s supposed militarization.
The increase in Kosovo’s defense budget — €207.8 million in 2025 — has also been cited in Serbian discourse as evidence of the government’s “militarization” efforts.
Despite these portrayals, Kosovo’s investments are made in cooperation with the United States and aim to transform the Kosovo Security Force into a modern, professional, Euro-Atlantic-standard force, focused on defense rather than aggression.
