Albania to revive arms production industry, starting with Rubik weapons factory
Prime Minister Edi Rama confirmed today that the government’s plan to revive Albania’s long-defunct military industry will begin with the transformation of the former copper plant in Rubik into a modern weapons production facility. Rama made the announcement during a meeting with local residents and former factory workers.
Why is this important: Since the war in Ukraine, Albania has signaled its intent to redevelop its defense manufacturing sector. The country is home to three former weapons and munitions factories, all degraded after years of inactivity. Now, the government says it is in talks with major NATO-aligned defense companies to reopen these plants — not only to meet domestic defense needs but also to export military equipment.
Context: According to sources within the Ministry of Defense, the Rubik facility will produce heavy weaponry, light munitions, and AI-powered military drones, AlbanianTimes has learned. In a pronouncement the Prime Minister framed the initiative as both a national security move and a major economic investment.
“By developing this industry, we don’t just boost our defense capacities — we significantly grow our local and national economy,” he said.
He emphasized that this marks a break from past mismanagement of military assets.
“We’re investing in military assets that were scandalously misused for years — especially properties. These should be preserved and used for strategic defense purposes or, when not needed, developed responsibly for tourism or other sectors, always in coordination with the Ministry of Defense.”
A revival: The Rubik site — once a key industrial facility — is expected to become a centerpiece of Albania’s defense industry revival. The government also announced it has signed an agreement with a strategic partner to support the weapons program and ensure the inclusion of qualified workers.
“We aim to bring back highly trained Albanians from abroad to work in this sector,” Edi Rama added.
The state-owned enterprise managing the plant will handle both production and international sales, with the aim of making Albania a regional player in defense manufacturing once again.
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