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Kosovo, Albania and Croatia plan joint production of Shota MRAP in an unprecedented defense alliance in the Balkans, targeting global exports…
The Shota armored vehicle developed in Albania will be produced jointly with Kosovo and Croatia. This creates a Balkan defense project within a military alliance between the three countries that could become a competitor to Ukrainian armored vehicles on the global market.
This was reported by the acting Minister of Defense of Kosovo, Ejup Maqedonci.
According to him, negotiations are ongoing regarding the conditions that will be finalized in a relevant framework agreement.
This is the first time that three Balkan countries have come together in this way for the joint production of armored vehicles. Deliveries will be made both for their own needs and for export.
"Defense Express" notes that such a defense project will help attract suppliers from all three participants, thereby reducing imports. It will also help to place larger orders, which can reduce prices. And of course, defense capabilities are strengthened, against the background of the purchase of Hawkeye SPH by Kosovo.
Regarding the Shota armored vehicle, it is a typical 13-ton MRAP developed by the Albanian company Timak. It can accommodate up to 10 military personnel, including the driver, and is available in 4x4 and 6x6 variants.
It offers protection according to Level 2 of the STANAG 4569 standard, withstanding 7.62x39 mm API BZ bullets penetrating armor from 30 meters. It also withstands explosions of up to 6 kg under the wheels or floor.
Like most MRAPs, it has a V-shaped body, mine-resistant seats, a turret for military personnel on the roof, surveillance cameras, air conditioning, and other equipment. Interestingly, part of the body armor is sloped to improve protection.
Overall, the most remarkable fact about the Shota armored vehicle is its Balkan origin, which will strengthen the regional defense industry. However, how competitive it will be for export is unknown, as the armored vehicle market is flooded with offers on the global market that lack the advantages of the Ukrainian counterparts proven on the battlefield.
In March 2025, the three Balkan countries signed a joint declaration in the field of defense.
The three countries are committed to concretizing cooperation in the field of defense in practice.
The declaration by the Defense Ministers of Albania, Kosovo and Croatia was signed in Tirana.
The declaration established four points of cooperation: Promoting defense capabilities and cooperation for the relevant industry; Increasing interoperability through education, training and exercises; Countering hybrid threats and increasing resilience; Providing full support for Euro-Atlantic integration.
The text of the declaration stated that this cooperation is to ensure good positioning to confront threats and achieve defense and security objectives.
The acquisition of defense capabilities is the first commitment in the declaration to which the Defense Ministers pledged.
In this regard, it is intended to place one purchase order, instead of three separate orders from each country.
These purchases are expected to be made with national funds of each country. /Pamphlet/
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