The government of Kosovo is moving forward with the acquisition of UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters with support from the United States, as part of its transition toward a fully operational armed force. The Kosovo Security Force (KSF) is undergoing a transformation aimed at evolving from a light crisis-response force into a fully capable army of 5,000 personnel. This process, known as the “third phase of transition,” includes the incorporation of more advanced systems and platforms, among them tactical transport helicopters and air-defense radar systems.
The decision to advance the purchase of these aircraft is part of the effort to strengthen Kosovo’s military personnel transport capabilities and to introduce entirely new ones, as the country has so far lacked crewed rotary-wing assets within its military forces. The Black Hawks will become the KSF’s first military helicopters, with roles that include troop and cargo transport, search-and-rescue missions, as well as support for humanitarian assistance and firefighting operations.
The announcement was made by the acting Prime Minister, Albin Kurti, during the celebration of Kosovo Security Force Day on November 27, 2025. Kurti expressed his gratitude for NATO’s support, particularly that of the United States: “We are in the process of receiving Black Hawk helicopters from the U.S. It is time to thank our NATO partners, especially the U.S., who support us with equipment, weapons, and training.”
For his part, the Minister of Defense, Ejup Maqedonci, confirmed during his visit to the Sikorsky–Lockheed Martin facility in the United States that the helicopters will form part of the KSF’s air support fleet. In an official statement, Maqedonci emphasized, “Kosovo will have Black Hawk helicopters in the air support fleet of its army.”
During the same visit, Maqedonci and the KSF commander, Lieutenant General Bashkim Jashari, were received at the U.S. Department of State and the Department of Defense, where Washington reaffirmed its commitment to Kosovo’s Euro-Atlantic integration.
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