Rama: Revival of the military industry as Albania delivers its first 40 domestically produced tactical vehicles

The ceremony marking the delivery of the first 40 tactical vehicles produced in Albania according to NATO standards was hailed by Prime Minister Edi Rama as a historic moment for the revival of the Albanian military industry. The vehicles will be handed over for use by the Armed Forces.

Rama said that for years the Albanian military had been neglected and had continued to operate largely thanks to the dedication, determination and patriotic spirit of its personnel. At that time, he said, the idea of an Albanian military industry seemed impossible.

“For a long time, there was no question of even imagining a military industry. The history of tenders, the purchase of mismatched machinery and various complications was the daily story of the Albanian state,” Rama declared.

The prime minister said that the country has now entered a different phase, as it is no longer limited solely to using defense technology but is also engaging in the design and development of its own technological capabilities.

During his speech, Rama also mentioned the entrepreneur Arjeta, whom he described as one of the leading figures in this developing industry. He said that she was from Bulqiza and, after a period of emigration and working at a factory that produced motor vehicles, returned to Albania to establish a startup focused on the production of motor vehicles.

According to Rama, although she initially faced difficulties and received no institutional support, the company managed to produce ambulances in Albania, which were later exported to Ukraine as well. He stressed that, at the same time, Albania continued to obtain such vehicles through imports and tenders.

Rama announced that the state-owned company “KAYO” was later established, with 100% state ownership, and is expected to serve as the foundation for future developments in the defense industry.

“We are not inclined to buy from abroad anything that we can produce here. We are not inclined to welcome foreign companies that take our assets and then move everything abroad. We want every company that comes to Albania to accept the state as a partner,” Rama said.

He said that the cooperation between “Timak Defence” and “KAYO” has enabled the Albanian state to own shares in a company that produces vehicles for the military.

“Timak Defence” was initially established as an Albanian startup, while today, according to the prime minister, it has become an important production capability for the Armed Forces. The vehicles produced in Albania were built in cooperation with renowned international companies in the automotive industry.

Referring to the period after 1992, Rama said that the Armed Forces faced a difficult phase, characterized, in his words, by the “destruction and dismantling” of military capabilities. He stressed that a new fleet of vehicles is currently being created, built in accordance with NATO standards.

According to the prime minister, the objective is for the Albanian military to have all the necessary vehicles and capabilities by 2028, ranging from light vehicles to the most advanced systems.

“Do not be surprised if one day we come here again and display products made in Albania, which we will also provide to the largest armies in the world, including the US military. Imagine an American soldier with a ‘Made in Albania’ product. This is the other Albania that we have built,” Rama declared.

The prime minister added that the company “Timak” is not involved only in the production of military tactical vehicles, as it is currently also building 14 new firefighting vehicles.