Security and Defense Innovation Center, Peleshi: A new chapter in the Modernization of AAF

Published: Wednesday, 03 April 2024 20:35

The opening ceremony of the Security and Defense Innovation Center took place today. Present at the ceremony were Prime Minister Edi Rama, accompanied by Defense Minister Niko Peleshi, Ministers, MPs, and senior leaders of the Albanian Armed Forces. During the visit in the premises of the Center, they became familiar with the functions of each building.

During the ceremony, Defense Minister Niko Peleshi described it as the opening of a new chapter in the Armed Forces and the Ministry of Defense.

“It is a page of modernization, a transition to a new phase of Albania's development of which we are also a part. It embodies the vision of Prime Minister Rama for introducing innovations in Albania's development." - Minister Peleshi said.”

According to Minister Peleshi: “A developing country like Albania needs to overcome and increase the pace with the help of new technologies, with the help of the intellectual power of the Albanian Nation. Therefore, today we are proud to join to this movement and we promise that very soon we will provide the first innovative products which will be an inspiring model, I believe, for the youthful Albanians who are in the Armed Forces, but also for other young people to understand that the future can be built here". The Defense Minister said that this center is part of the of NATO’s Centers of Excellence Network, given that Albania is a member country. "NATO's Centers of Excellence, as we are members of the Alliance, are our Centers of Excellence. We are part of a network, we interact, we increase our training capabilities, we are in touch with the latest in Artificial Intelligence, new technologies, which are intended to help us increase our security and defense capabilities, to build more defense power with fewer resources.” - Minister Peleshi said. According to Minister Peleshi, the Albanian model of Artificial Intelligence is trained in this center, using the two satellites Albania 1 and Albania 2 and the flotilla of Bayraktar drones, whose images are analyzed according to the sector-specific interests

In his speech, Prime Minister Edi Rama congratulated the Defense Minister of for its work and stated that the Security and Defense Innovation Center opens a new chapter in the modernization of the Albanian Armed Forces. Prime Minister Rama emphasized: “To address new challenges and to respond to our new level of commitment, based on our Vision for the Albanian Armed Forces 2030-ies, a new military strategy and a long-term plan on the AAF’s development are being prepared and will be submitted for legislative review in the Assembly. Meanwhile, we are also preparing the new platform for the development of the Military Industry. Our ambition is that by 2030, we will have military exports labeled as 'Made in Albania' On the other hand, we aim for our Army to start using military equipment branded as 'Made in Albania'", said the Prime Minister, emphasizing continued support for the troops of the AAF.

Through the Security and Defense Innovation Center, affiliated with the Military Cyber Security Unit, the goal is to enhance national capabilities in the field of Security and Defense by implementing innovative projects, integrating advanced technologies, and fostering the development of a security and defense innovation ecosystem.