TIRANA, February 2 – Prime Minister Edi Rama announced that Albania’s 2026 defense budget has surpassed 2% of GDP, exceeding NATO’s standard threshold for member states.

Speaking on the “Lt’s Talk” podcast, Rama said this milestone reflects not just a higher figure, but a proactive approach to the country’s defense obligations and the development of a domestic defense industry.

He noted that Defense Minister Pirro Vengu had detailed the budget in a recent conference. Rama emphasized that the 2026 allocation marks the largest historical investment in Albania’s defense sector and signals a long-term strategic shift.

This strategy goes beyond equipment purchases and modernization. It aims to build sustainable military and industrial capacities locally, strengthen domestic production, enable technology transfer, support maintenance, and expand potential for exports.

Rama added that the new approach allows the state not only to spend but also to generate returns, reinvest in defense, and increase opportunities for well-paid, skilled employment.

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