Albania will invest in the addition of military troops and modern armaments. The defense strategy envisages adding over 1,000 soldiers by 2033.

The defense investments that Albania is making have reached the level of 2% of the Gross Domestic Product and during the next ten years, they are expected to increase further.

This is read in the Armed Forces Development Plan 2024-2033, which constitutes the main strategy in the field of defense. This plan envisages new combat capacities, changes in the structure of the army and an increase in the number of personnel.

Thus, the increase in the number of personnel until 2033 will be gradual, where in the short term the number of active personnel will be maintained at 8,500 and an additional 30% reserve force. In the medium term, 9,000 active personnel will be reached and this increase will be dictated by the implementation of several projects in technology and equipment. In the years 2030-2033, the plan tends to increase the number of active personnel to 9,500, while the number of reserve personnel will be determined depending on periodic assessments.

This period will be characterized by the completion and efficiency of modern equipment and systems.

The geopolitical developments of the time, and NATO’s demand for strengthening the army, have influenced the revision of defense policies.