The US Defense Security Cooperation Agency reported on 11 January that the US State Department has approved a potential sale of FGM-148 Javelin man-portable anti-tank systems to Kosovo with a total estimated cost of $75 million.
First introduced to the US military in 1996, the Javelin missile system has an effective range of 2.5 km and is designed to destroy heavily armoured vehicles such as main battle tanks (MBTs) and lighter-skinned military vehicles. Additionally, the weapon can be used to target fortifications, bunkers, and helicopters. Most recently the Ukrainian military has effectively utilized the Javelin system against Russian MBTs and other armoured vehicles.
Kosovo requested to purchase 246 Javelin FGM-148F missiles (including 6 fly-to-buy missiles) and 24 Javelin Lightweight Command Launch Units (LWCLU).
Included in the package are Javelin LWCLU Basic Skills Trainers, Javelin Outdoor Trainers, Missile Simulation Rounds, Outdoor Training Instructor Stations (OTIS), Battery Coolant Units (BCUs), System Integration and Check-out (SICO), Life Cycle Support (LCS), Javelin Restricted Interactive Electronic Technical Manual (IETM), Javelin Operator Manual and Technical Assistance (TAGM), tools, Javelin gunner training, Ammunition Technical Officer (ATO) training, Javelin maintenance training, and other logistics and program support items.
The announcement comes at a period of heightened tensions between Kosovo and Serbia, with Serbian president Aleksandar Vučić expressing “deep disappointment” at news of the possible sale.
