Defense 2030 in Goverment Program

Published: Tuesday, 07 October 2025 11:49

Pillar I: European Albania

1.6 Defense and National Security

a) What We Have Achieved Together

Once an underfunded sector, over the past decade Defense has been transformed into a cornerstone of national security and a key instrument in Albania’s contribution to regional stability.

Investments have increased from €28 million to over €280 million and for the first time, the Defense budget has surpassed 2% of GDP. The modernization of the Armed Forces has become a reality, with the equipping of the air fleet with Black Hawk helicopters, the establishment of the Cyber Command, the operational deployment of Bayraktar drones and the inauguration of NATO’s Tactical Air Base in Kuçova.

The hybrid threats of the third decade of the 21st century and the unpredictability of the use of force demand that Defense remains at the forefront of our national priorities, under the leadership of national interests, the country’s EU integration, and our responsibilities within NATO. In this context, hosting the NATO Summit in Albania in 2027 marks a historic milestone.

b) Our European Destination

The “Defense 2030” Program ensures increased financial resources for defense, through an annual budget increase of no less than 0.15 % points above the current rate of 2.01% of GDP, and by mobilizing revenues from the defense industry and the efficient management of assets. This national financial effort is a prerequisite for achieving our vision of a safe and structurally resilient Albania in terms of defense, response and production capabilities, built upon five pillars of action:

c) Our Work Ahead

We will enhance and strengthen the human resources of the Albanian Armed Forces, positioning them as a national reserve of human capital, with a focus on combat skills and ethics, academic excellence, discipline, broad-based culture, historical awareness, and patriotism. Military salaries, currently the highest in the region, will continue to increase and are projected to reach the NATO average by 2029.

We will develop the “Made in Albania” defense industry, for the production of ammunition, light weaponry, armored vehicles, civil emergency equipment, and unmanned systems, transforming Albania into a regional hub for the defense industry. We will also expand naval capabilities with three new ships and modernize the existing fleet.

We will modernize and develop critical infrastructure, aiming for completion by 2029, including:

- investments in Corridor VIII for NATO mobility, starting from Porto Romano;
- the Trauma Hospital construction site;
- the Aviation School in Vlora;
- the new Campus of the Armed Forces Academy;
- the Military Innovation Complex in Bërzhitë;
- the International Training Polygon in Bizë.

Additionally, the national preventive infrastructure program will continue, with the rehabilitation of bridges, dams and river embankments.

We will strengthen civil protection by investing in:

- two firefighting aircraft;
- a reinforced ground fleet;
- four new regional civil emergency centers.

We will enhance responsive capabilities across the territory with innovative solutions, smart systems and the full implementation of the 112 national/international emergency number.

We will digitalize defense and national security, starting with:

- Cyber Defense;
- anti-drone capacities;
- Command-and-Control systems;
- satellite systems.

Innovation will be placed at the core of modernization investments across the entire spectrum of military and civil activities, particularly in enhancing military intelligence, civil protection, and combat systems.