Türkiye to supply kamikaze drones to Albania

Türkiye has pledged to supply Albania with a “considerable” number of kamikaze drones, Prime Minister Edi Rama announced Thursday during a joint press conference with Türkiye’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The drones are part of a defense gift aimed at strengthening Albania’s security.

Türkiye’s gift of kamikaze drones

While the exact number and model of the drones have not been specified, Rama emphasized that the acquisition underscores Albania‘s defensive capabilities.

“This is a strong message from Türkiye that Albania is unhittable,” he said. Rama further clarified that the acquisition of these drones does not suggest any intention for Albania to engage in aggressive actions, stating, “Albania will not attack anyone.”

Strengthening Albania’s military

Albania is among several Western Balkan countries actively modernizing its military capabilities in response to heightened regional tensions following Russia‘s invasion of Ukraine in 2022. This latest agreement follows Albania’s prior acquisition of Turkish-made Bayraktar reconnaissance and attack drones.

Albania and Türkiye are NATO members, and their growing defense cooperation reflects the alliance’s collective efforts to bolster security in the region.

A spokesperson for the Albanian government did not provide additional details when asked about the specifics of the drone deal.

Türkiye’s role in Albania’s defense

Türkiye, known for its advancements in drone technology, has emerged as a key partner in Albania’s military modernization efforts. Kamikaze drones, which are designed for precision strikes and to neutralize targets with a single-use payload, are expected to further enhance Albania’s defensive posture.