Drones, helicopters and "smart defense", the parties' plans for the security and defense sector

Drones and anti-drones, helicopters and ammunition, construction of barracks and "smart defense", training, digitalization and vetting. To a greater or lesser extent, each of the parties and each Coalition competing in the February 9, 2025 Elections promises investments in the field of Security and Defense.

During the election campaign that began on 11.01.2025, the Vetëvendosje Movement, which is aiming to win the Elections and retain power for another four-year term, has promised specialized and modern equipment, adequate weaponry, as well as proper education and training for the Police and Security institutions.

"We will advance the Drone and Anti-Drone Unit to strengthen surveillance and readiness to confront new forms of security threats - assisting in investigations, border protection and surveillance, as well as increasing public safety in general," the party's Program states.

The borders according to the LVV will be secure and managed with the most advanced technologies. The National Border Management Center will reportedly be modernized to guarantee security and facilitate the movement of goods and people, and to prevent criminal activities.

To meet the objectives in this sector, LVV promises a budget of over 1 billion euros in the next four years for the Army.

This party also pledges to make the Munitions Factory operational and develop Kosovo's military industry.

'Made in Kosovo' military drones are another promise of LVV.

1 women and girls are targeted to be recruited as soldiers.

A Joint Unit with the Albanian Military Forces is another goal of this party, which also aims to strengthen the Army by purchasing weapons, training, and education within the country in cooperation with partner countries.

The Comprehensive Defense Program will be implemented throughout the country, according to them, and reservists will have adequate armament and training in the event of mobilization.

Commitments for digitalization of the Security sector

The Democratic Party of Kosovo, which is running with Bedri Hamza as the candidate for Prime Minister in these elections, promises a comprehensive security framework that integrates national defense, public security, and human security principles.

"By embracing the latest technologies and visionary strategies, we will address new threats and challenges with innovative and adaptive measures that guarantee the security and prosperity of all citizens. We will digitalize the entire National Security and Defense sector - integrating Artificial Intelligence to increase capacities for real-time threat assessment and efficient planning." - this party's election program states, among other things.

Besa Kabashi-Ramaj spoke about PDK's plans for investments in Security and Defense on "Debat Përnime".

"We anticipate that to increase the level of protection from external and internal threats, we will create five Regiments, as we have planned with our strategic partners, the US and NATO," she said.

Regarding civil emergencies, Kabashi-Ramaj said that PDK also envisages the establishment of a Helicopter Unit.

PDK also promises investments and modernizations in military infrastructure, as well as the establishment of the National Guard with the foreseen structures and ensuring their readiness.

"The National Guard will increase Kosovo's civil preparedness, uniting the military and civilian sectors to better respond to external threats and internal emergencies." - this Program further states.

Full health and life insurance for members of the Kosovo Security Force, Police, KIA and firefighters is another commitment made by PDK.

"We will increase public safety by restructuring the Police based on population and crime data, as well as by investing in capacity-building initiatives. Through community policing, we will build trust and foster regular interaction between the Police and communities – encouraging cooperation and information exchange," promises the PDK.

"Smart defense"

The Democratic League of Kosovo, on the other hand, aims to increase partnership with NATO.

The LDK plans the budget for the Kosovo Army by increasing it to 2% of the Gross Domestic Product.

This party also plans to restructure the Kosovo Security Force.

"The composition of the Force in our plan is expected to be 6000 active members (today there are 4000), 3000 active reserves and 20000 general reserves," states the LDK election program.

This Program also provides for the education and training of high school students in the field of Defense.

LDK promises the construction of four military barracks for the KSF.

"The current barracks will be reorganized, adapting them to the KSF mission, and we will increase the number of barracks by 4 in different regions of Kosovo. In Prizren (former German KFOR contingent barracks); in Gjinoc, Suhareka (current KFOR barracks); in Gjakova (Gjakova Airport) and in Podujeva. The total amount of investment in this project, i.e. in the updating of the current barracks and the construction of 4 new barracks, will be around 60 million euros," promises the LDK.

In addition, LDK also plans to build housing for military personnel - by building military quarters, which will serve military personnel and their families.

LDK envisages programs so that after the retirement of KSF members, they can be integrated into civilian life.

"This will be achieved through: a) profiling and training of KSF members in specific fields and their development in the respective fields during their military career; b) legal changes that enable KSF members to engage in all areas of public life - including in the KSF (as civilians), and especially in the academic and doctrinal field even after retirement." - the LDK Program further states.

This party also envisions the "Smart Defense" concept, which envisions mutual assistance between allies and partners in many areas of Security and Defense.

"In agreement with neighbors and friendly countries, we will develop 'Smart Defense' projects. An agreement can be reached with Albania for the certification of helicopter pilots to be done at its Simulation Center. Meanwhile, the maintenance of tactical vehicles manufactured by the United States of America can be done in Kosovo. Joint agreements for airspace control can be reached with Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Croatia," said Anton Quni in "Debat Përnime".

LDK also envisages building capacities for international operations – by creating a combined Battalion Unit for these operations. This Unit is expected to have a 4-year lifespan, with rotation. This activity, according to LDK, has an initial estimate of around 12 million euros.

"Directly to NATO"

The AAK-NISMA-Intellectuals-Conservatives coalition has direct membership in NATO as its main defense promise.

This membership is expected to be achieved through three main aspects: political, military and economic.

"Political: Strengthening relations with Euro-Atlantic institutions; fulfilling obligations in the Dialogue; consolidating democracy in Kosovo; improving relations with neighbors. Military: Increasing the combat capabilities of the Kosovo Army; developing the defense industry; producing ammunition and other military equipment; improving military and civilian defense infrastructure; increasing Kosovo's contribution to NATO commitments. Economic: Activating Kosovo's resources for economic partnership with Alliance countries," the Program of this Coalition states, among other things.

According to this Coalition, membership will also bring economic development, increasing the value of the country's resources and potential, and will encourage domestic and foreign investors.

"We also have in our Program the slogan 'Directly to NATO'. And we have done this intentionally, because we consider that without security there is no other development that can be efficient for the citizens of Kosovo and for our country," said in "Debat Përnime", the candidate for MP from AAK, Ahmet Isufi.

The Coalition for the Family, on the other hand, promises to modernize security institutions, strengthen inter-institutional and international cooperation, and improve living and working conditions for all those who contribute to the security field.

This Coalition says that the focus will be on intensifying cooperation between security institutions to increase their capacities.

"Oversight, meanwhile, will be systematic and rigorous, giving priority to regular and advanced training, through cooperation and twinning with police forces and other security institutions of developed countries, which have high standards and successful practices," the Program of this Coalition states, among other things.

Police Reform

The Coalition for the Family also promises to reform the Kosovo Police.

"The reform of the Kosovo Police will begin with Vetting, namely the investigation of the past for everyone without exception. According to the Law, it is known which positions must be subject to this process. And, at the same time, life insurance. The Law is in the process, so we will also address this issue and we will commit to this Law being passed," declared the candidate for Deputy from the Coalition for the Family, Bejtush Gashi, in "Debat Përnime".

This Coalition's program regarding the Police includes increasing salaries, improving working conditions, digitizing services, and developing organizational structures for a faster and more efficient response.

The KSF, according to the Coalition for the Family, will also be transformed through training and investments in equipment and infrastructure.

It is also envisaged to increase the integrity of the Kosovo Intelligence Agency, through guaranteeing the budget and developing technological capacities to combat cyber and terrorist threats.

Furthermore, this Coalition also foresees the development of the private security industry.

"This will include licensing private security companies and creating a legal framework that will ensure that these companies operate in accordance with ethical and professional standards," it further states.

The Coalition for the Family also envisions the creation of specialized security teams that monitor and manage risks in real time, as well as investments in new and resilient infrastructure.

Security Strategy

Improving the country's security and defense is also foreseen in the Kosovo Security Strategy 2022-2027.

This Strategy foresees the reorganization of the Kosovo Police.

"It will review its internal organization, in order to utilize human resources in the most efficient way to perform regular, special and specialized police tasks. The Reserve Police will be established, which will be able to be engaged to assist the Police in maintaining public order and security, in exceptional or urgent circumstances. The Kosovo Police will be continuously invested in building and developing capacities, in supplying it with the necessary equipment to perform its operational tasks, as well as in controlling and supervising the state border," this Strategy states, among other things.

This Strategy also talks about building the capacities of the KSF, aiming towards NATO membership.

"The KSF continues to build and develop combat capabilities and capacities for territorial defense, maintain and develop capacities for military support to civil authorities, and contribute to security through participation in military missions abroad. The KSF develops doctrine, standards and capacities in line with those of NATO and will increase training activities and joint exercises with NATO countries, with the aim of enabling interaction with their armed forces," the Strategy states.

The Strategy also mentions Kosovo's goal to increase the defense budget to 2% of Gross Domestic Product.

"The Republic of Kosovo will assess the possibility of developing appropriate models of reserve forces, as well as that of compulsory military service, according to contemporary practices of Western countries, in accordance with local circumstances, conditions and resources," this Strategy also states.

According to the Budget Law, the Kosovo Police for 2025 has a budget of 152 million 624 thousand 469 euros.

Based on the same Law, the budget for 2025 for the Kosovo Security Force is 202 million, 828 thousand, 715 euros, while the overall budget for the Ministry of Defense, which also includes the KSF, is 207 million, 875 thousand, 243. /Kallxo.com/