Major General Petrit Çuni takes command of the Land Force, Vengu highlights investment and readiness priorities

Published: Friday, 19 December 2025 13:02

Major General Petrit Çuni formally assumed the post of Commander of the Land Force at a dedicated ceremony attended by Defence Minister Pirro Vengu, Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces Lieutenant General Arben Kingji, and senior leadership from the Ministry of Defence and the Armed Forces.

Following the decree of the President of the Republic, command was formally transferred from Major General Ilir Xhebexhia to Major General Petrit Çuni. Major General Xhebexhia was recognised for his professionalism and leadership throughout his tenure at the head of the Land Force.

In his remarks, Defence Minister Pirro Vengu underlined that a change of command represents more than a ceremonial transition, reflecting the strength of institutions, continuity of leadership, and Albania’s firm commitment to national security.
“Leadership is passed from one experienced commander to another, ensuring that the Land Force continues to strengthen its readiness, professionalism, and credibility, both in safeguarding national security and in fulfilling NATO commitments.” - Defence Minister Vengu said.

The Defence Minister praised Major General Xhebexhia’s contribution, highlighting improvements in operational capability and enhanced cooperation with the Atlantic Alliance. He noted that over 500 Albanian service members have deployed this year alone to NATO and EU missions in Kosovo, Latvia, Bulgaria, and Bosnia and Herzegovina, reaffirming Albania’s role as a dependable ally through concrete contributions.

Defence Minister Vengu also highlighted the ongoing restructuring of the Land Force, including the establishment of the Special Operations Regiment, Infantry Regiments, and the Combat Support Regiment, alongside continued efforts to modernize capabilities and upgrade military infrastructure.

Turning to the newly appointed commander, the Defence Minister outlined key challenges and priorities ahead:
“A major milestone will be the preparation and CREVAL evaluation of the Light Infantry Battalion Group in 2026. This process will test our ability to meet NATO standards in practice. At the same time, our focus remains clear: strengthening anti-tank and air-defence capabilities, integrating combat drones, reinforcing artillery, and improving mobility. These capabilities serve a single purpose, to build a Land Force that is more effective, more credible, and more respected.” - Defence Minister Vengu emphasized.

The Defence Minister also reaffirmed the government’s commitment to a gradual increase in military personnel salaries, aiming to reach the NATO average by 2029.

In his address, Major General Petrit Çuni reaffirmed his commitment to professional leadership, enhancing operational readiness, developing capabilities, and strengthening interoperability with other Armed Forces structures and NATO allies. He stressed that his leadership will be guided by professionalism, discipline, transparency, and accountability, in line with the principle of “lead by example.”