US donates 29 Humvee to the Albanian Armed Forces

Published: Wednesday, 24 March 2021 16:50

The 2nd Infantry Battalion of the Land Force (b2k) is one step closer to its full mechanization. The U.S. Government donated 29 new, armored, versatile, and high-mobility (Humvee) vehicles to this NATO-declared facility. Minister Peleshi thanked the USA for the continuous assistance it has provided for the modernization of the Armed Forces, training, and education of our personnel.

"US material, technical and modernization assistance has given and continues to give our military more power, strength and effectiveness in operations at home and abroad. Thanks to this assistance, they are better trained to successfully fulfill almost the entire spectrum of missions and tasks. This continued strong and substantial support has given especially to our troops engaged abroad more confidence, security and dignity at the helm of their duties. The modernization of technique and equipment, starting with naval, air, armored vehicles and other ground combat equipment, chemical defense equipment and others, has been significant for the Armed Forces. The 29 armored vehicles for which we are gathered today are not and will not be the last. This assistance and support for strengthening one of two of our main units such as the II Infantry Battalion and that of the Special Forces is much more than a real and concrete contribution to increasing their operational combat capabilities. Our capacities are your capacities, they are the capacities of the Alliance, the Albanian Armed Forces will always be with you, always with the Alliance in the protection and defense of our common values.” , - Minister Peleshi addressed the US Ambassador, Yuri Kim.

Ambassador Kim said the donation of new vehicles contributes to the transformation of the II Infantry Battalion, from a light battalion, to a mechanized battalion. The American diplomat expressed pride that Albania responds to the task, always being on the side of the USA, no matter how dangerous the missions are, no matter how far from home.
She considered the donation as an important donation on the eve of "Defender Europe 21", the largest military exercise in Southeast Europe.

The new US-donated vehicles will be used primarily by the II Infantry Battalion in the Land Force, which is a structure at the Alliance's readiness and disposal to be deployed anywhere and anytime.