Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama said on Tuesday the country is building strategic partnerships to expand its nascent military industry, with plans to produce and export next-generation armored vehicles “Made in Albania”.
Speaking during a visit to Tirana Industrial Park alongside Economy, Culture and Innovation Minister Blendi Gonxhja, Rama praised a local firm led by entrepreneur Arjeta Puca for developing the first domestically built armored vehicle, named “Shota”.
“We are working to establish a strategic partnership with one of the world’s largest companies in the defense sector,” Rama said. “The deal, which will be announced soon, is expected to bring hundreds of millions in investment and position Albania as a new player in military manufacturing.”
The Prime Minister said the initiative will not only serve the needs of Albania’s Armed Forces but also target foreign markets. He emphasized the project’s potential to create high-paying jobs for skilled professionals, calling it a turning point for the country’s labor market.
“The average salary in the company we visited is around 1,000 euros, and the minimum wage is 700 euros, even for support staff. This demonstrates the opportunities the defense industry can offer,” Rama said.
He added that Albania’s strategy involves producing key defense components locally while importing only highly specialized equipment.
The visit comes as Albania gears up for parliamentary elections in May, where Rama’s Socialist Party is seeking to maintain its hold on power amid growing economic ambitions and regional security dynamics.
Albania is set to hold parliamentary elections in May 2025, a key test for Prime Minister Edi Rama and his ruling Socialist Party, which has governed since 2013. The election will determine all 140 seats in the unicameral Parliament.
