Introduction

Albania has significantly deepened its military and security ties with Israel since 2020. In 2025 a major deal was signed between the countries to supply Albania with artillery systems and drones by Elbit and to build a domestic production plant in the country. Other recent deals include cybersecurity training in Albania by IAI and repeated acquisitions of the device-unlocking software UFED by the Israeli Cellebrite.

Albania-Israel Relations

Albania and Israel first established diplomatic ties in 1949, but relations were interrupted for decades and only restored in August 1991. Since then, the two countries have signed multiple bilateral agreements covering economics, tourism, culture, agriculture, health, and cybersecurity.^[1]Embassy of Israel in Tirana, Bilateral relations, 29.04.2025

In December 2019, Israel sent a humanitarian aid mission to Albania after a devastating earthquake, deploying experts in structural assessment and disaster management. The aid mission was organized in coordination with Israel’s National Security Council and IDF Home Front Command, and included Israeli military officers.^[2]Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Israel dispatches aid mission to Albania following devastating earthquake, 03.12.2019

Albania supplied fuel to Israel between March and July 2024, even after a ruling by the International Court of Justice that Israel’s actions in Gaza could plausibly violate the Genocide Convention, as revealed on a report by Oil Change International.^[3]Oil Change International, Behind the Barrel: New Insights into the Countries and Companies Behind Israel’s Fuel Supply, 19.08.2024

Military Relations

Albania has significantly deepened its military and security ties with Israel since 2020, including cyber-defense agreements, cybersecurity training and a major 2025 deal for Elbit Systems to supply artillery systems and drones.

In March 2022 Albania sent observers to a major international air force drill in Greece, which Israeli participated in.^[4]The Times of Israel, Israeli fighter jets touch down in Greece for major international aerial drills, 27.03.2022

In 2023, Albania and Israel signed a Memorandum of Understanding in Cybersecurity.^[5]Embassy of Israel in Tirana, Bilateral relations, 29.04.2025 followed by a memorandum of understanding on military and defense cooperation signed in June 2023. The signing took place during a visit to Israel by Niko Peleshi, the Albanian Defense Minister and his meeting with the Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant. The ministers discussed ways of deepening bilateral security ties, and expanding Israel’s defense exports to Albania.^[6]i24 News, Israel’s DM Gallant signs unique cooperation agreement with Albanian counterpart, 26.06.2023^[7]Anadolu Agency, Israel-Albania sign MoU on defense military cooperation, 26.06.2023

Following the memorandum of understanding from 2023, in 2025 a number of agreements were signed between Albania and Israel, and specifically with Elbit Systems. In April, an agreement was signed between Elbit and the state-owned company KAYO to open an aviation academy, that will train military and civilian pilots. Prime Minister Edi Rama, Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku, Defense Minister Pirro Vengu, and the Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces, Lieutenant General Arben Kingji attended the agreement’s signing ceremony.^[8]Albania Ministry of Defense, Agreement signed with Israeli company to reopen the Aviation Academy in Vlora, Minister Vengu: An investment in human capital, 27.04.2025

In September, an agreement was signed for the supply of advanced artillery systems to Albania by Elbit Systems, and for developing domestic arms production. According to the agreement, Elbit Systems will supply Albania 155-mm truck-mounted ATMOS howitzers, 120-mm SPEAR mortar systems based on Elbit’s Cardom mortar, and two types of short-range tactical drones, the Magni-X and Thor. Elbit Systems will cooperate with Albanian state-owned company KAYO in order to build a 5,000-square-meter production plant for drones and artillery systems in northern Albania.^[9]Haaretz, Israel and Albania Strengthen Ties as Elbit to Provide It With Artillery Mortars and Drones, 12.11.2025 Although the total amount of the contract with Elbit is kept secret, estimations range from 400 million to billion euros.^[10]Ditar, Elbit scandal/Rama secret contract of hundreds of millions of dollars with company suspended by NATO for corruption, 10.12.2025

Cyber

In December 2020 Albania’s Luarasi University signed a cooperation agreement with Israeli Aerospace Industries (IAI) regarding cyber studies. The agreement between IAI and Luarasi University includes the creation of a cybersecurity academy in Albania, exchange of experience, training and building of capabilities in the fields of cybersecurity and data technology. The academy is to provide cyber skills to the students of the university and to experts in the field, including those in public administration, banking, and telecommunications.^[11]Israel Defense, IAI signs cooperation agreement with Albania’s Luarasi University, 31.12.2020^[12]Balkan Web, Universiteti ‘Luarasi’ dhe kompania më prestigjioze në Izrael në fushën e Sigurisë Kombëtare, hapin akademinë e parë të sigurisë kibernetike në Shqipëri, 28.12.2020

In October 2022, Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama conducted a three-day visit in Israel. According to news sites, the background for the three-day visit was Iranian cyberattacks against Albania in the months before. In his visit Rama met Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid, Israel’s President Isaac Herzog, then opposition leader Benjamin Netanyahu and the Director General of the Israel National Cyber Directorate (INCD), Gaby Portnoy.^[13]Israel Defense, Albanian prime minister visits Israel to discuss mutual Iranian cyber threat, 23.10.2022^[14]Israel Defense, Iran underpaying for “incessant attempts to undermine civilian cyberspace” says Israeli cyber chief, 25.10.2022

In 2023, Albania and Israel signed a Memorandum of Understanding in Cybersecurity.^[15]Embassy of Israel in Tirana, Bilateral relations, 29.04.2025

Usage of Israeli Arms and Cyber technologies

Riot Control Vehicles by Beit Alfa Technologies: Albania has used armored riot control vehicles made by Beit Alfa Technologies since at least 2015.^[16]Israel Defense, A New Model for the Riot Control Vehicle, 20.02.2015

UFED by Cellebrite: According to an investigation by the Albanian news site “Ora news”, the Albanian Special Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SPAK) have used Cellebrite’s UFED since at least 2022. A Croatian company INsig2 is also involved with Cellebrite’s activities in Albania and has supplied the examination hardware and technical support, while Cellebrite has provided the core phone-unlocking software and annual license renewals.

In September 2023 Cellebrite was awarded a $1.8 million (151 million Albanian Lek) contract for license-renewal, assistance and maintenance services of the forensic equipment throughout 2024, while INsig2 was awarded a $406,000 contract.^[17]Ora News, Izraelitët dhe kroatët janë brenda në SPAK/ Ja dy kompanitë që “zhveshin” telefonat e sekuestruar nga BKH-ja, 21.09.2024 The Croatian company INSig2 was the local contractor for Croatian Government purchase of Cellebrite’s UFED license.^[18]MINISTARSTVO UNUTARNJIH POSLOVA, REGISTAR UGOVORA 2023. godina

Contracts for the year 2025 were signed by the Albanian Special Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office in September 2024. A $144,000 contract was assigned to Cellebrite for renewal of licenses and $36,000 to INSig2 for mobile-device examination and data-extraction services.^[19]Pamfleti, SPAK signs the next contract with the Israelis 144 thousand USD for the license of devices that hack phones and computers, 24.09.2024