The Kosovo Security Force (KSF) has officially taken delivery of German-made Panzerfaust 3 anti-tank weapons, marking a significant step in Pristina’s ongoing effort to modernise its armed forces and align more closely with Euro-Atlantic defence standards. The transfer, first reported by Anadolu Agency, was confirmed by acting Minister of Defence Ejup Maqedonci, who stated that the systems had already been purchased and were entering the final stages of delivery and handover.
Subsequent reporting by the Albanian Post and Telegrafi indicated that Kosovo’s Ministry of Defence had completed all procurement procedures with Germany and that the weapons were acquired under the framework of bilateral defence cooperation. Local media have since confirmed that the Panzerfaust 3 systems have now been officially delivered to Kosovo, underlining that the deal has moved from the contractual phase into practical implementation.
Authorities in Pristina have presented the acquisition as a concrete milestone in the long-term transformation of the KSF from a lightly equipped security force into a more capable and professional defence structure. The delivery comes at a time when security dynamics in the Western Balkans remain fragile, with periodic tensions and heightened international attention focused on stability in the region.
Speaking briefly to local media, Maqedonci said that “they have already been purchased and it remains to be transported to us soon,” signalling that the political and legal hurdles surrounding the transfer had been cleared. Although the minister did not disclose the number of systems delivered or the overall contract value, multiple reports agree that the Panzerfaust 3 fills an important capability gap for Kosovo’s ground forces, particularly in the area of short- and medium-range anti-armour defence.
The Panzerfaust 3 is a portable, shoulder-fired anti-tank weapon produced by German defence manufacturer Dynamit Nobel Defence. Designed to be operated by a single soldier, it is intended to defeat main battle tanks, armoured vehicles and fortified positions. For the KSF, which is in the midst of a gradual but steady capability build-up, the system complements existing light anti-armour weapons and future deliveries of Javelin anti-tank guided missiles already ordered from the United States.
Technically, the Panzerfaust 3 is a semi-disposable, recoilless rocket launcher featuring a 60 mm launch tube and a 110 mm warhead. The disposable launch canister is pre-loaded with the projectile, while the firing and sighting unit is reusable and can be mounted on a new round after each shot. In its more recent configurations, the system weighs about 15 kilograms ready to fire and measures roughly one metre in length.
Its effective engagement range typically extends from around 15 to 300 metres against moving targets and up to 600 metres against static targets when equipped with the improved IT-600 sight. The weapon employs shaped-charge warheads, including a tandem-charge variant designed to defeat explosive reactive armour, as well as a “Bunkerfaust” version optimised for urban combat and hardened structures. A key feature of the system is its recoilless counter-mass design, which uses plastic granulate expelled from the rear of the tube, allowing it to be safely fired from enclosed spaces—an important advantage in urban and mountainous terrain like that found across much of Kosovo.
The Panzerfaust 3’s origins date back to the late 1970s, when West Germany began developing a successor to older infantry anti-tank systems capable of countering modern Soviet armour. After prototype testing in the early 1980s, the weapon entered production in the late 1980s and was formally introduced into Bundeswehr service in the early 1990s. Since then, it has been widely exported and has seen operational use in conflicts in Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria and Ukraine. Continuous upgrades have improved its range, accuracy and lethality, providing Kosovo with a mature and combat-proven system backed by decades of NATO and partner experience.
For KSF infantry units, the Panzerfaust 3 offers a flexible and relatively low-cost means of countering armoured threats without relying exclusively on heavier guided missiles. Its portability allows individual soldiers or small teams to carry and deploy it from firing positions that might be unsuitable for bulkier systems, including upper floors of buildings or improvised defensive positions. When combined with longer-range systems like Javelin, the Panzerfaust 3 is expected to form a key component of a layered anti-armour defence concept at platoon and company level.
The acquisition also fits into a broader pattern of increased defence spending in Kosovo. According to Telegrafi, Pristina has invested approximately €430 million in strengthening its armed units over the past four years and plans to double that figure to around €1 billion in the next four-year period. The defence budget for the current year stands at €207.8 million. While the specific cost of the Panzerfaust 3 deal remains undisclosed, officials stress that it is part of a long-term, partner-supported modernisation programme.
For Germany, the delivery represents a tangible sign of political and security support for Kosovo and an effort to anchor the country more firmly within Western defence networks. In a region still vulnerable to tensions and external influence, the presence of a credible modern infantry anti-tank capability raises the threshold for any potential use of armoured coercion.
The confirmed delivery of the Panzerfaust 3 marks a qualitative improvement in Kosovo’s defensive posture. While the full impact will depend on effective integration, training and doctrine development within the KSF, the strategic message is already clear: Kosovo is steadily building practical, multi-layered defensive capabilities, and any attempt to pressure it through armoured force would now carry significantly higher risks and costs.A
