Kosovo, for the third time since 2021, is hosting the largest international military exercise — led by the United States Army for Europe and Africa – “Defender Europe 2025.”
In this exercise, which is the largest multinational military exercise led by the United States, Kosovo will participate not only as a host but also with approximately 1,000 members of the Kosovo Security Force (KSF), as reported by KosovaPress.
About 25,000 troops from 29 NATO allies and partner countries are expected to participate in the operation led by the U.S. Army Command for Europe and Africa.
The acting Minister of Defense, Ejup Maqedonci, said that Kosovo’s participation in “Defender Europe 2025” demonstrates the trust the United States has in the Republic of Kosovo.
Maqedonci told KosovaPress that this year’s “Defender Europe 2025” exercise is even more important because, for the first time, the tactical command of the eighth multinational division
with placing the tactical command of the eighth multinational division at Gjakova airport. This command will oversee all brigades conducting exercises in the Balkan region… ‘Defender Europe 2025″ is the largest exercise by the U.S. Army in Europe this year, involving about 25,000 troops from 29 NATO and partner countries across three exercise zones,” he said.
The head of Defense in Kosovo said approximately 1,000 members of the Kosovo Security Force will participate in the largest military exercise “Defender Europe 2025.
“Kosovo and the KSF will participate in this exercise with approximately 1,000 personnel. Apart from Kosovo where the largest number of KSF personnel will be involved in the exercise they will also be deployed, and some already are, in Albania, North Macedonia, and Croatia. All this shows the trust that the U.S. has in the Republic of Kosovo and the capabilities of our institutions to host an exercise of this scale,” he said.
Maqedonci emphasized that for Kosovo and especially the defense sector, the United States is the main partner.
He added that on June 13 at the Pentagon, he himself will sign the defense framework agreement, which he said is the first agreement of this level signed between Kosovo and the United States.
“Besides being a political message that the U.S., our partners, and we as a Republic send to the region and the world that Kosovo is a stable country and worthy of hosting such events, it is also an opportunity for our military units to interact with NATO units. Through interoperability, we develop capabilities so that if it is required for our units to deploy alongside NATO units for any peacekeeping mission, we will be prepared. This also demonstrates the trust, among other things, that NATO countries have in the professionalism of our army, the doctrine we represent, our planning system, and our military procurements, all of which meet NATO standards,” he emphasized. Through the “Defender Europe 2025” exercise, the Kosovo Security Force will demonstrate operational readiness and the level of combat interoperability with partner countries and the region. including the United States, Albania, Croatia, North Macedonia, and Bulgaria.
This exercise in Kosovo will take place from May 26 to June 9.
