Defence Minister Vengu visits France: Deepening cooperation to boost operational readiness

Published: Thursday, 19 June 2025 21:43

Albania’s Defence Minister, Mr. Pirro Vengu, paid an official visit to France, where he was welcomed by his French counterpart, Mr. Sébastien Lecornu.

The visit, which follows Minister Lecornu’s recent trip to Tirana, marked a meaningful step forward in strengthening bilateral defence ties. During their meeting, the two ministers reaffirmed their shared commitment to deepening strategic cooperation between the two countries.

“We are moving quickly to enhance our operational readiness and improve the training and specialization of our personnel.” said Minister Vengu. “Our strategic partnership with France is a key pillar in advancing our military capabilities, especially in modernizing our air defence systems.”

While in France, Minister Vengu also took part in the official opening of the Paris Air Show, one of the most prestigious global events in military and civilian aviation and defence technology. His presence at the event provided a valuable opportunity to engage with international defence leaders and explore the latest innovations supporting Albania’s Armed Forces modernization.

During the exhibition, the Defence Minister met with representatives of major defence and aerospace companies such as Anduril Systems, Thales Group, Airbus, MBDA, EDGE Group, KNDS, Saab AB, and Safran. “Developing a national defence industry, investing in dual-use systems, and training our personnel to operate them effectively are the three main priorities guiding our Armed Forces’ modernization.” Vengu emphasized.

A key outcome of the visit was the signing of a contract with Thales Group, a direct result of the bilateral agreement reached during President Emmanuel Macron’s recent visit to Tirana. The contract will equip the Albanian Air Force with a state-of-the-art radar system for national airspace surveillance, marking a significant step toward strengthening Albania’s defence infrastructure. Minister Vengu described the investment as “an important contribution to both our national security and our role within the alliance.”

To conclude his visit, Minister Vengu paid tribute at the Mont Valérien Memorial, honoring the French Armed Forces on the anniversary of General Charles de Gaulle’s historic appeal of June 18, 1940. He expressed his admiration for the French resistance against Nazi occupation and acknowledged the courage of Albanians who joined the Free French Forces in defense of freedom and democracy.