US donates 37 military vehicles to Albania

 

 Albania's Armed Forces will be better able to perform their duties thanks to the help of the United States Government, which donated 37 armored vehicles to mines and mined traps.

The armored vehicles of the International MaxxPro MRAP (Mine Resistant Ambush Protected) brand will be used by the Armed Forces structures, which are part of NATO's collective defense.

At the ceremony of handing over these tools, attended by Defense Minister Olta Xhaçka, the United States Chief of Staff in Albania, Leyla Moses-Ones and the Chief of General Staff of the Armed Forces (AF), Bardhyl Kollcaku.

Minister Xhaçaça thanked the US government for its continued assistance to the Albanian state and assessed as important the donation of 37 armored vehicles, which will increase the capabilities and performance of the Armed Forces.

"This package translates into more capacity, more joint commitments and certainly more security for both our country and the alliance. New armaments under the NATO standard, the new armored HMMWV and MRAP armored car accessories, which are being added to the AF equipment inventory, are changing the daily reality of our military duties as well as increasing the day-to-day performance during the exercise... The tools will enable the expanded spectrum of tasks and mission of our troops, and will enhance personnel safety, especially against mines and improvised explosive devices, which is now considered to be one of the most present threats to the operating environment," Minister Xhaçka said.

The US official in Tirana, Leyla Moses-Ones described the donation of armored vehicles as a help not only for Albania but also the Alliance. She praised the role of Albania in the region and the current leadership of the Ministry of Defense and Armed Forces, in strengthening the cooperation in the field of Defense.

Olta Xhaçka (left) and Leyla Moses-Ones

"This new armored ability will increase Albania's internal defense, strengthen the southern side of NATO, and will provide crucial combat power to NATO that can be deployed to support global operations. This is another example of how Albania is growing as a regional leader in the Balkans. Under the excellent direction of Minister Xhaçka and General Kollçaku, the communication and cooperation between our military forces has never been stronger as the distribution of these vehicles marks the end of a phase of our cooperation. "

The 37 armored vehicles are part of the United States Government's Armed Forces package of aid to the Armed Forces of Albania.