Thewesternbalkans
For the first time Albania allocated budget funds for defense, at the level of 2% of the GDP, fulfilling NATO’s request and in the following years, defense investments will not fall below the 2% level, but will even gradually approach the 3% level.
This is evidenced in the Long-term Plan for the Development of the Armed Forces 2024-2033, which would constitute one of the main documents in the field of defense. The projections are that this increase will be annual, where within 10 years it is intended to reach the level of 2.8% of the GDP.
Investments will be made in several directions – in the renovation of military bases, the construction of new bases, investments in technology and especially investments in human resources.
In addition to the new NATO Air Base that was inaugurated a few weeks ago, there are also a number of new investments that will be realized. The plan is that within a few years Albania will have an army and defense system similar to that of NATO and that will respond to any challenge that may arise for the national security of the country.
The list of investments also includes the development of port and airport hosting and accommodation infrastructure in Porto Romano and the Pashaliman naval base.
Also, there is expected investment in the Integrated Maritime Space Surveillance System as well as the purchase of 6 medium patrol ships.
On the other hand, the investments foresee the modernization of the Farka Air Base, where, in addition to the renovation that has started, it will be completed with Blackhawk helicopters.
Investments are also foreseen for the creation of the Air Defense Ground Base as well as the improvement of the country’s Integrated Airspace Surveillance System.
The list of investments also includes the construction of the classified “NATO Secret” computer network in the Armed Forces and the construction of the new University Campus.
This plan, which envisages the development of new combat capacities, will bring the necessity for structural changes and an increase in the number of personnel. The increase in the number of personnel for the period 2024 – 2033 will be as follows:
– in the short term, the number of active personnel of 8,500 plus 30% additional reserve personnel will be maintained;
– in the medium term, 9,000 active personnel will be reached and the additional number of reserve personnel of 30% will be maintained;
– in the long term, the plan tends to increase the number of active personnel to 9,500.
Comment: The recent geopolitical developments and NATO’s demand for strengthening the army have influenced the revision of the country’s defense policies which resulting in adoption of the Long-Term Development Plan of the Armed Forces.
The sharp increase in the defense budgets and the search for opportunities to modernize the military has been a global trend for the past few years.
