KSF takes over airport near Podujevo: What can be seen from Dumosha?

The Ministry of Defense and the Kosovo Security Force (KSF) officially took over the property of the former Dumosh Airport near Podujevo last week. Defense Minister Ejup Maqedonci stated that this is a "strategic point" that will enhance Kosovo's defense and security. Security experts interpret this as a significant move: KBS is establishing its first garrison just about 10 kilometers from the administrative line.

By Arsenije Vučkovic

"The deployment of Kosovo Security Force (KSF) troops on the grounds of the Dumosh Airport in Podujevo represents a major step forward for regional security and stability. This initiative bolsters the presence of KBS in the Lab and Gollak regions, providing additional safety for residents and better, faster support for emergency response and civilian operations," Maqedonci said.

The future garrison near Merdare is located in the village of Dumosh (Batlava) and near the Dumosh Lake. Built during Yugoslavia's time, the facility was initially designed as a sports airfield for the Pristina Aero Club. It included a small tower, hangar, and a grass runway 1.5 kilometers long.

Although not corroborated by other sources, Wikipedia notes that as early as 1936, this location served as an airport connecting Belgrade-Podujevo and Skopje with the first Yugoslav twin-engine aircraft, the "Aeroput MMS-3."

During the 1999 conflict, the airport was repeatedly bombed but spared further targeting when NATO forces realized they were destroying decoys rather than actual Yugoslav Air Force assets or armored vehicles.

Initially under KFOR ownership, the Dumosh site was later transferred to EULEX and used as a training center for the EU's civilian mission.

On November 1, EULEX officially announced that Dumosh had been vacated and was no longer under its jurisdiction.

"EULEX confirms that it vacated the Dumosh location today. The site was used as a training center under a usage agreement with UNMIK," the statement read.

Retired KBS Colonel Afrim Veseli recalls that when the airport was opened, it was initially intended for agricultural aviation.

"I remember when the airport opened; at least officially, it was meant for planes conducting agricultural spraying," Veseli said.

Commenting on the takeover of Dumosh, Veseli noted that there had been earlier plans to establish KBS garrisons in the "Lab region" in northeastern Kosovo, an area previously without such infrastructure. He emphasized that the KBS would also use the airport for air defense purposes.

"The Kosovo Security Force will use this airport in multiple ways. It will also serve air defense purposes, and it is in an excellent position since Serbia is on the other side," Veseli remarked.

Symbolic Messaging

Military analyst Aleksandar Radic, in an interview with Kosovo Online, described the handover of Dumosh Airport to KSF as a strong political and propaganda message by Prime Minister Albin Kurti, signaling Kosovo's capability to position its forces closer to central Serbia.

"The expansion of the Kosovo Security Force's infrastructure sends a clear political and propaganda message: they can deploy their forces toward areas oriented toward central Serbia. This is part of a political construct that is quite transparent. The aim is to project strength and convince the segment of public opinion crucial for Prime Minister Kurti's elections that substantial efforts are being made to ensure protection from Serbia," Radic explained.

He adds that this message is directed at the category of the population in Kosovo that needs to be convinced that everything is being done to protect Kosovo.

"Protecting from whom? From Serbia? What is Serbia supposed to do? It doesn't matter; what matters is thaT these bases are near Serbia. In this context, the expansion of locations where members of the Kosovo Security Force (KSF) are deployed should be viewed. Naturally, when we look at the map, the plan is for these points to be as close as possible to the administrative line, as close to central Serbia as possible," Radic says.

He adds that the Dumosh base was once the Batlovo sports airport, which was taken over by EULEX after 1999, and it is not surprising that it has now been handed over to KBS for use.

"The Batlovo location previously belonged to EULEX, and many facilities that were once used for various purposes by international organizations have been handed over to Kosovo's state institutions. Well, look, these are countries that have recognized them and see no legal problem in this," Radic explains.

He adds that the opening of more and more KBS garrisons has a rational justification presented during meetings with KFOR representatives.

"The fact is that the barracks used by the KBS structure are mostly in central parts of cities due to historical legacies. Since the time of the Kingdom, it has been known where barracks were located—on the periphery of cities at the time. Cities have long since absorbed these spaces. There is a need to move them out of cities and use the land for commercial development. KSF has a plan for expansion, and naturally, as new units are formed, this is an additional reason to establish new camps and barracks," Radic notes.

He says that the exact function of this base is still unclear and that many claims are actually "campaign rhetoric."

"For now, we do not know the details of what KBS intends to do because the statements made so far are part of the ongoing campaign for the February elections next year. Air defense systems have been mentioned, but such systems are not currently in KSF's arsenal," Radic emphasizes.

He is clear that despite the accelerated armament of KSF, they still will not have combat aircraft in their arsenal.

"The Kosovo Security Force will not get combat aircraft. There is no way to implement this. KFOR is still adhering to old regulations defining these forces and has not yet entered the zone of provocation when it comes to heavy weaponry," Radic claims.

However, he does not rule out the possibility of creating a conventional armed force, pointing to Turkey as a key player.

"Self-propelled 120mm mortars have been acquired. This is a serious challenge, a significant provocation, but Turkey is behind this. Turks primarily have an interest in maintaining a strong military presence in the Kosovo and Metohija area. All the more sophisticated equipment, everything with greater firepower, has come from Turkey. The KSF will be as strong—when we talk about their potential in the strict domain of firepower, both offensively and defensively—as Ankara decides. These resources come from them," Radic believes.

He adds that despite claims that the West actively participates in arming KSF, facts show that Western countries provide KBS exclusively with military equipment and weaponry up to the level of automatic rifles or systems with limited range and effectiveness.

"They received light armored vehicles, M1117, from the Americans. But let’s be clear, this is a military-police vehicle, and its limits are well known. However, Turkey is ambitious in enabling KBS to grow into a conventional armed force. They are working on creating an effective, relatively strong light infantry brigade, followed by armored missile systems with a range of up to four kilometers and 120mm mortars. We now await what new equipment will arrive. It would not be surprising if light portable anti-aircraft missile systems are included on that list," Radic concludes.

Strategic Position

On the other hand, senior advisor at the ISAK Fund, Marko Savkovic, believes that the KSF Dumosh base near Podujevo is strategically located, which is why Belgrade will need to monitor the situation closely.

In a conversation with Kosovo Online, this analyst does not rule out the possibility that the base will be used for reconnaissance and potential drone operations.

"I assume the intention is, first and foremost, for Pristina to control a unit that can be used for launching drones and, in the future, for other capabilities that the Kosovo army, the KSF forces, may possess. It is strategically located, near the administrative line. Therefore, there is potential for reconnaissance and action in other scenarios. For those supporting Prime Minister Kurti's policies, this is another indicator of strengthening the capabilities of their armed forces," Savkovic emphasizes.

He is confident that the authorities in Belgrade will closely monitor developments.

"Certainly, for Belgrade, the Serbian state must monitor this situation. Relations have long been strained, resembling conflict-like dynamics," Savkovic says.

He adds that the decision to take over Dumosh Airport aligns with Pristina's decision to strengthen security forces.

Despite considering KFOR and NATO's presence as guarantees against direct conflict due to the lack of "a real balance of power," he warns against excluding scenarios that could escalate in that direction.

"I think there is no real balance of power here, but as long as KFOR and the NATO mission are present, I rule out the possibility of direct conflict. However, we must be aware that in recent years there has been constant tension, violence, armed incidents, and troop movements. So, we should not exclude any scenario, but I hope and believe for the sake of the people living in this area that it will not come to that," Savkovic concludes.