Albanian-produced military armored vehicles “Shota” are set to be manufactured in Kosovo, marking a significant step in strengthening the country’s defense capabilities and alignment with NATO standards, according to security experts.
In addition to production in Albania, the “Shota” armored vehicles will now also be manufactured in Kosovo following an agreement reached between the Minister of Defense of Kosovo, Ejup Maqedonci, and the Minister of Defense of Albania, Pirro Vengu.
The development was confirmed to Tëvë1 by Liridona Gashi, spokesperson of the acting Ministry of Defense.
“We confirm that the ‘Shota’ military armored vehicle, designed in Albania, will also be produced in Kosovo as part of defense industry cooperation achieved through the trilateral agreement between Kosovo, Albania, and Croatia, signed in March 2025,” Gashi stated.
“While production has not yet begun and we remain in the logistical implementation phase, the key development is the agreement with Albania to extend production to Kosovo,” she added.
The vehicles will become part of the Kosovo Security Force (KSF) inventory, enhancing its operational readiness and interoperability.
Former Vetëvendosje MP Enver Dugolli described the agreement as highly beneficial and strategically important.
“Cooperation agreements with Albania are essential—not only because Albania is our kin state, but also because it is a NATO member. Their experience is extremely valuable for Kosovo,” Dugolli said.
“Kosovo aims to join NATO as soon as possible, and such developments represent a major advantage,” he emphasized.
Security experts share a similar assessment. Fatjon Softa, a regional security analyst, underlined that the cooperation also serves as a deterrent against potential destabilization efforts by Serbia in the Western Balkans.
“This cooperation strengthens collective defense mechanisms and prepares Kosovo doctrinally and operationally within the NATO framework, not only by aspiration but by capability,” Softa noted.
The “Shota” armored vehicle, designed as an MRAP (Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected) platform, offers:
- Crew capacity: 2 crew members + up to 8 soldiers
- Ballistic protection: BR7, resistant to 7.62mm ammunition
- Mine resistance: Up to 6kg of TNT detonated beneath the vehicle
- Advanced features: Anti-blast seating, ballistic glass, modern security systems
- Mobility: Optimized for difficult and rugged terrain
This move represents a major milestone for Kosovo’s defense industry, reinforcing its Euro-Atlantic integration path and military self-sufficiency.
