Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama announced plans to establish a National Special Forces Academy, describing it as the next major step in modernizing the country's defense capabilities following the inauguration of Albania's National Flight School.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the National Flight School, Rama said the government is in discussions with Israeli partners to bring one of the world's leading special forces training institutions to Albania.

"We are in talks with our partners to bring one of the world's centers of excellence in the training, education and certification of special forces from Israel," Rama said.

According to the prime minister, the future academy will train Albania's special operations personnel while also welcoming cadets from allied countries across the region.

Rama said the institution is expected to be open to participants from neighboring allies, beginning with Kosovo, and could eventually serve military personnel from a broader range of partner nations.

He added that Albania aims to transform both the National Flight School and the planned National Special Forces Academy into regional centers of excellence in defense training. Rama credited Albania's cooperation with Israeli security and air force partners as a key factor behind the initiative and said the academy would also collaborate with additional international partners in the future.

No timeline for the establishment of the Special Forces Academy was announced.