America gives Albania $17m for army

In an interview for Voice of America, General Begaj said that during the meeting he held with US Army chief General Mark Milley this week, they have discussed co-operation between two countries, but also the war in Ukraine.

The US state has awarded a $17 million grant budget to increase the defence power of the armed forces and increase defence capacities. I emphasise that any budget of modernisation of the Albanian armed forces goes to enhance our defence capabilities. We have no intention of aggression or of declaring war to someone. We are simply in what NATO requires as an alliance, to make protection and discouragement for any enemy or for any opponent”, Begaj said.

Earlier in the week it became known that Albania has purchased Javelin missile systems from the American company Lockheed Martin. General Begaj did not disclose how many antiaircraft missiles Albania has bought, but said these weapons “will increase our antiaircraft defence power”.

Meanwhile, Begaj also talked about Albania's plans to buy Black Hawk helicopters.

The “in increasing the capabilities of the [Albanian] air force is introduced not only by radar but also by combat equipment, such as Black Hawk. I believe that next year Albania will have the first two Black Hawks in the country”, he said, adding that increased air force capacities will be shared not only with US funds but also through Albania's budget.

Albania, NATO member state, is also one of the states where a US Special Forces headquarters is located in Europe.

General Begaj said the presence of US Special Forces would help advise Albania's Armed Forces.