TIMAK has achieved a groundbreaking milestone by producing “SHOTA,” the first-ever armored military vehicle made in Albania. This ambitious project was not only a dream realized for TIMAK’s founder, Arjeta Puca, but also a powerful symbol of Albania’s potential in advanced manufacturing and defense technology.

From Vision to Reality

For years, TIMAK has been recognized for producing ambulances, police vehicles, fire trucks, and even armored ambulances for war zones. However, the dream of creating a military vehicle remained unfulfilled—until now.

During a client meeting, Arjeta was asked whether TIMAK would participate in the Eurosatory Defense and Security Fair in Paris, one of the largest defense industry exhibitions in the world. With over 2,000 companies from 62 countries in attendance, Arjeta noticed that no Albanian company was represented. For her, this became a personal challenge:

“Even though we only had three months, we decided to fulfill this dream, represent Albania with our company, contribute to our country, and show others that these kinds of products can also be made in Albania,” said Arjeta.

The Design and Collaboration

To bring the project to life, TIMAK collaborated with Albanian designer Gregor, who led the conceptualization of the vehicle. Inspired by both current and future automotive trends, the design drew references from iconic vehicles such as the Lamborghini Revuelto and the Tesla Cybertruck. Together, the team worked tirelessly to finalize a concept that would merge modern aesthetics with functional military-grade design.

“I’m very pleased that this project happened between two Albanian companies that will represent Albania internationally,” Gregor emphasized.

The team named the vehicle “SHOTA” in honor of the Albanian heroine Shote Galica, a symbol of bravery, courage, and determination. This choice reflected TIMAK’s workforce, which is 80% women, further highlighting the company’s dedication to gender empowerment.

Engineering Excellence and Armoring

The SHOTA prototype meets the BR7 armoring level, achieved using 9-millimeter Armox Advanced sheet metal and 56-millimeter thick ballistic glass, providing superior protection.

“This was my first experience with a military vehicle of this level,” shared Hayrettin, a key member of the engineering team. “It was an honor to contribute to such a historic project.”

With limited time to complete the vehicle, the team at TIMAK worked relentlessly through the final stages, including interior fittings, lighting installations, and seat adjustments. As Arber, another team member, noted:

“Our biggest motivation was to present this vehicle at Eurosatory, where the entire world showcases its projects.”

A Successful Debut on the Global Stage

The Eurosatory Defense and Security Fair in Paris was a monumental moment for TIMAK and Albania. Arjeta recalled the emotions and pressures of presenting alongside century-old companies with vast experience. Despite these challenges, TIMAK’s work received overwhelming praise:

“Everyone congratulated us on our work, and we received collaboration requests that we had not anticipated,” Arjeta said.

TIMAK’s presence attracted significant interest from countries such as Canada, England, France, and others, underscoring the potential for future partnerships and investments.

A Vision for the Future

With the successful debut of SHOTA, TIMAK has proven that innovation, determination, and teamwork can place Albania on the global map for advanced engineering and defense manufacturing. Arjeta summarized the team’s mission:

“Our main goal was to represent Albania for the first time with an Albanian-made product, attract investors to our country, and contribute to our nation’s growth.”

TIMAK’s achievement with SHOTA marks the beginning of a new chapter for Albanian industry, showcasing that “Made in Albania” can be synonymous with quality, innovation, and excellence.

 See the full interview here.