The Ground Force completes the exercise/ Peleshi: Ready to consolidate the operational and tactical dimension

2024-02-14 10:25:00, Aktualitet CNA

The Ground Force completes the exercise/ Peleshi: Ready to consolidate the

The winter compacting exercise of the Light Infantry Battalion Group codenamed "Sustainable Defense 2024" ends successfully. On the last day of this exercise, which took place in the region of Puka, the President of the Republic Bajram Begaj, at the same time the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, the Minister of Defense Niko Peleshi, the Chief of the General Staff of the FA Major General Arben Kingji participated as well as commanders of the forces.

In his speech, Minister of Defense Niko Peleshi congratulated the men and women of the Light Infantry Battalion Group, which is a unit certified by NATO as a force ready for deployment and operation in full interaction with the North Atlantic Alliance and of the other units that were involved in this exercise for their dedication and determination.

"Today's security environment is characterized by an increasing number of threats and opponents of Western values. Russia's brutal aggression against Ukraine and the conflict in the Middle East have shaken the global order and security, bringing with it the need not only for a joint response from all the countries of the alliance, but also for the development of critical capacities and the strengthening of national resilience. , said Minister Peleshi, highlighting the fact that the focus is on what is happening today in our region, which continues to remain a fragile region with provoked tensions that attempt to destabilize it.

"So today we have a new national security strategy, which will soon be followed by the military strategy and the long-term development plan of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Albania. This strong strategic foundation gives us an impetus to consolidate the operational and tactical dimension by placing emphasis on the continuous transformation of our forces and capacities", declared Mr. Pelesh. According to the Minister of Defense, these capacities will be tested very soon in function of the large NATO exercise "Steadfast Defender 2024".

The Minister of Defense expressed his satisfaction with the fact that this year the pledge for investments in 2 percent of GDP within NATO, for security and defense, is fulfilled, while he emphasized the continuation of financial and social support for military personnel.

In his speech, the President of the Republic, Bajram Begaj, said that "Albania has been and remains Euro-Atlantic in spirit and in action. As a historically peace-loving people, our orientation is peace and security, so today it is important not only solidarity with the values ??of other member countries, but also the further strengthening of transatlantic ties".

For his part, the Commander of the Land Force, Major General Ilir Xhebezhia, while expressing his thanks and gratitude for the support to the military, promised that this force will be committed and will work with dedication, discipline and high professionalism for the realization of every task and in fulfillment of obligations to the Alliance.

The "Sustainable Defense 2024" exercise is part of the annual training and exercise program of the Land Force for this year and takes place at a key moment, since from November 1, 2023 this force has switched to the new organizational structure, which consists of a military force more effective, complete with personnel, well equipped with advanced weaponry and technology, well trained, trained and motivated, ready to carry out the constitutional mission in defense of the country. / CNA