Kosovo
515 new KSF soldiers sworn in; Kurti: We are not building the army against anyone, we are building it for Kosovo
The largest generation of soldiers so far took the oath at the “Adem Jashari” Barracks in Pristina. Kurti pledged more than 1 billion euros in investment in the army during the term.
By ANN Newsroom · Newsroom
October 23, 2026, 18:24 · Updated 18:39 · 2 min read
In brief
- 515 new soldiers of the Kosovo Security Force were sworn in at the “Adem Jashari” Barracks in Pristina.
- Kurti said the government aims to invest more than 1 billion euros in the army during this term.
- According to him, the ammunition factory in Gjakova is expected to start production by the end of the year.
A total of 515 new soldiers of the Kosovo Security Force (KSF) took the oath on Friday at the “Adem Jashari” Barracks in Pristina, at a ceremony attended by Prime Minister Albin Kurti. Kurti described it as the largest generation of soldiers ever sworn in.
Also present at the ceremony were Assembly Speaker Albulena Haxhiu, Defense Minister Ejup Maqedonci, Army Commander Lt. Gen. Bashkim Jashari and Kosovo Intelligence Agency Director Petrit Ajeti.
More than 1 billion euros for the army
Kurti recalled that the army's budget was tripled in the previous term and said the government pledges to invest more than 1 billion euros in this term. According to him, arms purchases worth more than 430 million euros have been made, including Bayraktar and SkyDagger drones for air support, while the army has more than 40 types of heavy and light ground weapons.
The prime minister said 3,220 new soldiers have been recruited, that another generation begins training this year and that capability targets for 2028 have been brought forward by two years. He also mentioned Kosovo's participation in the Defender 21, 23 and 25 exercises, as well as the ammunition factory in Gjakova, which he said will start production by the end of the year, fully domestic.
The NATO goal
“We are not building the army against anyone. We are building it for Kosovo,” Kurti said. “Our aim is clear: to stand up for the homeland, with our army part of NATO.” He closed his speech with the call: “This is our homeland. This is our state. Freedom is our sacred legacy.” According to the prime minister, the number of military personnel trained or educated abroad has quadrupled.
