Minister of Defense, Niko Peleshi, has announced that a USD 6 million satellite service contract will be signed this Thursday, stressing that Albania is entering a new phase of digitalization. 

During the presentation of satellite service plan, Peleshi underlined that the two satellites Albania 1 and Albania 2 will be used initially for a period of 3 years. 

"Today, the satellite service contract will be signed in the field of defense and security for the monitoring with advanced technology of the territory of Albania through the National Civil Defense Agency and the US SateLogic Operator. The contract is worth 6 million dollars. 

It consists in the exclusive use of two satellites, initially for a period of 3 years, for the monitoring of the territory of Albania, the development of technical and professional capacities, for the use of the satellite service, the processing of geospatial information and the provision of imaging products. Albania will have dedicated priority access to the two satellites expected to join the SateLogic fleet in its next Space X satellite launch. 

The satellites will be called Albania 1 and Albania 2. This will enable Albania to receive satellite images. We don't start from scratch. A lot of work has been done so far. We have an agency that will be involved in image management for all institutions that will need it. 

An innovation center will start work near the Ministry of Defense where there will be scientific research in the field of security and defense. Undoubtedly also in the framework of our new information center project the satellite service will be an added valu", stated Peleshi.