TIRANA, Nov. 1 /ATA/ – Albania has established six commercial partnerships through state-owned company KAYO and begun assembling armoured vehicles domestically as part of efforts to develop its defence industry, Defence Minister Ermal Nufi said on Sunday.
In an interview with journalist Albatros Rexhaj on the Hard Talk show, broadcast by media platform Radar, Nufi discussed developments in the military industry, investment in defence capabilities and Albania’s commitment to Kosovo’s security.
The minister said the adoption of two laws in 2024, one governing the military industry and the other establishing KAYO, had laid the legal and industrial foundations for domestic production.
“We have established six commercial partnerships through KAYO and taken the first steps towards creating not only the legal framework but also the actual industrial infrastructure needed for production in Albania,” Nufi said.
He clarified that Albania has not yet started producing ammunition, although production lines have been ordered in 2025.
Nufi said the development of the defence industry must be based on NATO standards to ensure that domestically manufactured equipment and weapons were interoperable with those of allied countries.
“The fundamental requirement is to produce weapons that are interoperable and compatible with NATO. Without that, there is no point in producing anything,” he said.
Developing domestic capabilities would also help Albania avoid delays associated with sourcing and repairing military equipment abroad, he added.
“Within NATO, replacing equipment sent to Ukraine currently takes between 18 and 20 months because of procedural requirements, while countries in the Eastern bloc need three to four months. If one of our vehicles breaks down, we will be able to repair it immediately at our own facility rather than wait eight months because of procedures or customs delays,” Nufi said.
Asked about Albania’s practical commitment to Kosovo’s defence, Nufi described Kosovo as a consolidated republic with established institutions and international recognition, backed by the United States and Europe.
He cited Albania’s recent deployment of a helicopter to Kosovo as a concrete contribution to security efforts under the NATO-led Kosovo Force (KFOR) mission.
“We have just sent a helicopter to Kosovo, which is a concrete gesture,” he said.
Addressing regional security, Nufi highlighted NATO’s role and KFOR’s presence in Kosovo, stressing the importance of Albania’s strategic position and cooperation with its allies.
He also said national security should transcend political divisions and remain a bipartisan priority.
“National security must be bipartisan. The enemy does not ask which political party you belong to,” Nufi said.
The minister also underscored the role of the United States within NATO, describing Washington as the alliance’s main ally and the world’s leading military power.
“At the NATO defence ministers’ table, where I sit, there are no differences of position when it comes to security. This was demonstrated most recently in Ankara,” he said.
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