It is about the Israeli company Elbit Systems Ltd. and the giant of the American military industry, Lockheed Martin Corp.
The Albanian government is in negotiations with six foreign companies to produce military equipment, revealed during the week the Minister of Defense, Pirro Vengu. The negotiations are focused on investments in production lines for heavy artillery, light armament, ammunition, armored vehicles, and military uniforms, added Vengu during an interview for the Albanian media. The government received expressions of interest from 25 foreign investors, including companies headquartered in the USA and Israel, the senior Albanian official pointed out. Partnerships will be formed through the state producer of military equipment Kayo, recently established.
One of them is the Israeli company Elbit Systems Ltd., which in April of this year signed a memorandum of cooperation with the Albanian authorities. As Albanian Post learned, Elbit Systems will be engaged in the assembly of drones in our country, as well as the production of light armament and heavy artillery at the former Copper Plant in Rubik, which will be transformed into one of the main centers of military production for the Armed Forces.
Elbit Systems is among the highest-ranked defense companies in the world, with Globes – Israel Business News reporting that it is the Israeli defense company with the highest ranking on the Defense News list for 2024. Albanian authorities admit to AP that very soon they will have concrete works also for the restoration of the Aviation School in Vlorë. The giant of the American military industry, Lockheed Martin Corp., is another old acquaintance of official Tirana, which is engaged in negotiations with the Albanian Defense. Although local authorities are awaiting the Javelins ordered since 2022, with Lockheed Martin they are in contacts not for the military industry, but for the modernization of the Armed Forces, AP learned.
Javelin was developed and produced by Javelin Joint Venture, a partnership of Raytheon Missiles & Defense and Lockheed Martin. The FGM-148 Javelin is a portable anti-tank missile system produced by the USA since 1996 and continuously improved.
