Turkey will donate a “significant number” of loitering munitions to Albania, underscoring the strengthening ties between the two nations.
This was announced by Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama following a meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan to discuss advancing defense and humanitarian cooperation.
Rama emphasized that Ankara’s donation will send a “strong message” that “Albania is unhittable.”
However, he clarified that the gesture does not imply any intention to attack anyone.
Details regarding the specific number and type of drones, as well as the estimated timeline for deliveries, were not disclosed.
Additional Bayraktar TB2s?
Turkey is well-known for producing in-demand unmanned aerial systems (UAS), including the Bayraktar TB2 drone.
With a flight endurance of 27 hours, the UAS can support precision strike and surveillance missions.
While it remains unclear whether Rama was referring to the same type of drone, it is noteworthy that Albania previously acquired three Bayraktar TB2s from Turkish manufacturer Baykar.
The procurement made the Balkan nation the second NATO member to acquire Turkish-made UAS after Poland.
Once delivered, the combat drones are expected to enhance the lethality of the Albanian Armed Forces amid rising tensions in the region.