TIRANA, September 21 /ATA/ – The Light Infantry Battalion Group (LIBG) achieved Mission Capable status after completing evaluations during the Shield of Arbër-26 exercise at the Biza training area.
Attending the closing ceremony of the exercises were President of the Republic Bajram Begaj; Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces, Lieutenant General Arben Kingji; commanders, NATO representatives, military attachés and partners.
Minister of Defense Ermal Nufi hailed the certification as a significant achievement for the Land Force and the Armed Forces.
“Today’s result is clear: The Light Infantry Battalion Group is certified as Mission Capable,” stated Minister Nufi. “This is a proud achievement, but it also brings responsibility. We must maintain this standard, turn this experience into a lasting capability, and stay ready to act whenever the mission calls.
“The Shield of Arbër-26 exercise was a rigorous evaluation under NATO’s Combat Readiness Evaluation (CREVAL) standards. It tested the unit’s ability to plan, command, deploy and execute complex operations in line with Allied procedures.
The national certification took place under the observation of NATO representatives, focusing on the standardization and interoperability of the Albanian Armed Forces with our allies. Albania remains a dedicated ally, contributing responsibly to the Alliance and continuously strengthening its capabilities. To this end, the modernization of our Armed Forces is an ongoing process, the Minister of Defence stated.
Connecting the certification process to the broader transformation of the Armed Forces, the minister emphasized that modernization goes beyond new equipment—it transforms how forces plan, train, and execute operations. “The modernization we are undertaking aims precisely at this: building Armed Forces that are more capable, mobile, protected, technologically advanced, and fully interoperable with our NATO allies,” he stated. Closing the ceremony, Nufi commended the commanders, staff, instructors, evaluators, and all military and civilian personnel involved in the exercise. He noted that the certification is a direct testament to their hard work, discipline, readiness, and professionalism. Shield of Arbër-26 marks another significant milestone in strengthening operational capabilities and ensuring the Armed Forces remain ready to fulfill both national missions and NATO commitments.
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