In a significant stride toward regional defense collaboration, Kosovo, Albania, and Croatia have forged an agreement to jointly develop and produce the Shota mine-resistant ambush-protected (MRAP) vehicle. This initiative is part of a broader defense cooperation pact signed earlier this year, which aims to strengthen local defense industries, foster greater regional cooperation, and reduce dependency on foreign military suppliers.
The agreement emphasizes comprehensive defense integration, including the sharing of technology, training, and enhancement of armed forces interoperability among the participating nations. Kosovo’s Acting Defense Minister, Ejup Maqedonci, confirmed that the production of the Albanian-designed Shota vehicle will be extended to Kosovo, with plans for Croatia to participate in the manufacturing process in the near future.
Maqedonci noted, “I can exclusively say that we have, in principle, agreed on the joint development of the vehicle ‘Shota,’” adding that discussions are underway to finalize the cooperation through subsequent agreements. He explained that the assembly of the vehicle would be a collaborative effort, with each country contributing different components, making it available for export to international markets.
Sources indicate that the Shota program marks a historic first for the Balkan region, being the inaugural military vehicle jointly produced by these three nations. This project is anticipated to lay the groundwork for future defense collaborations in the area.
The Shota MRAP is engineered by the Tirana-based firm Timak and is available in 4×4 and 6×6 configurations. Spanning 7 meters (23 feet), the vehicle is constructed with NATO-standard armor and a V-hull underchassis designed to withstand fire from 7.62-millimeter rounds, as well as impacts from 155-millimeter artillery and ground explosions.
The MRAP has the capacity to transport up to ten passengers, weighs approximately 13,000 kilograms (28,660 pounds), and boasts a fuel capacity of 310 liters. It operates on a Cummins ISBE 275 or ISLE 350 engine, with a range of 100 kilometers (62 miles). Although details regarding its maximum speed remain sparse, the Shota MRAP is set to enhance the operational capabilities of the region’s armed forces significantly.
