State Department: The decision to sell missiles to Kosovo does not affect the change in the military balance in the region

The sale of anti-tank missiles "Javelin" to Kosovo supports the goals of the United States foreign policy and national security by enhancing Kosovo's security without altering the fundamental military balance in the region, the spokesperson of the State Department said for Kosovo Online regarding the US decision to accept Pristina's request to purchase anti-tank missiles.

The State Department spokesperson stated that the administration had informed Congress today about the proposal for foreign military sale, for the purchase of "Javelin" missiles and accompanying equipment by Kosovo, at an estimated cost of 75 million dollars.

In a written response, he also emphasized that the US continued to fully support the transparent transition of the Kosovo Security Forces (KSF) into multi-ethnic, territorial defense forces under civilian control, interoperable with NATO.

To that end, the State Department has regularly made decisions to approve foreign military sales to the Ministry of Defense of Kosovo for the needs of the KSF.

"This sale supports the goals of US foreign policy and national security by enhancing Kosovo's security and developing their defense, as well as NATO interoperable capabilities, without changing the fundamental military balance in the region or impacting the defense readiness of the United States", the State Department spokesperson stated.