Albanian-made military armored vehicles “Shota” will now be produced in Kosovo. Security experts say that this agreement is in the framework of fulfilling the norms for Kosovo to join the North Atlantic Alliance, NATO.
In addition to Albania, the “SHOTA” military armored vehicle will now also be produced in Kosovo.
This military equipment will be added to the stock of the Kosovo Security Force, following the agreement reached between the Ministers of Defense, Ejup Maqedonci and Pirro Vengu.
This was confirmed to Tevë1 by the acting spokesperson of the Ministry of Defense, Liridona Gashi.
“We confirm that the ‘Shota’ military armored vehicle designed in Albania will also be produced in Kosovo, within the framework of the cooperation in the defense industry achieved through the trilateral agreement between Kosovo-Albania and Croatia that was signed in March 2025. Regarding the start of production, we are still in the phase of the logistical aspect of implementing this agreement, however, important news is the fact that we have an agreement with Albania to start production in Kosovo as well,” she stated.
Former Vetëvendosje MP Enver Dugolli finds this agreement useful.
“Cooperation agreements with Albania are very useful, very necessary because in addition to being a mother country, being one people, one nation, it is also a NATO member state and their experiences are very necessary and very useful for the Republic of Kosovo… We claim to be members of NATO as soon as possible, and these elements are a big plus,” he declared.
Security experts also think the same.
Expert in this field, Fatjon Softa, underlined that this is also done to prevent any attempt by Serbia to destabilize the Western Balkans.
“In creating cooperation for collective defense in the event of any possible situation that could worsen in the Balkan country. And this serves first, Defense is the alternation of doctrines and alliance within NATO to prepare Kosovo to join at a later moment not only for its desire but also its being, to be part of the Euro-Atlantic Alliance.”
The ”Shota” military armored vehicle, designed as an MRAP (Mine Resistant Ambush Protected) vehicle, offers a transport capacity of 2 crew members + up to 8 soldiers, BR7 ballistic armor, resistant to 7.62mm ammunition.
It is designed for high protection against mines and against explosions of up to 6kg of TNT under the vehicle.
It is also suitable for difficult terrain, has anti-explosion seats, ballistic glass and a modern security system.