MKE has reached an agreement for the delivery of its 105mm lightweight towed howitzer BORAN to Albania's military. Signed ahead of the NATO Summit to be held in Turkey, this contract represents the first defense industry agreement between the two allied nations. Under the agreement with Albanian authorities, six BORAN howitzers and various ammunition types will be delivered to the Albanian armed forces.

MKE achieved the Republic's first howitzer export success in 2024 with deliveries to Bangladesh. The BORAN system has since begun establishing itself in the European market. Following the initial European export to North Macedonia, this delivery to Albania demonstrates the system's compliance with NATO standards and its competitive strength in the international marketplace. MKE's achievement reflects the growing localization and export capacity of Turkey's defense industry ecosystem.

The BORAN howitzer, weighing 1,775 kilograms, is among the world's lightest systems in its class and can be rapidly deployed via Sikorsky S-70 and Chinook helicopters from the air, or via heavy-lift vehicles from the ground. The system can achieve firing readiness in less than one minute and possesses the capability to fire while mounted on wheels. Equipped with a GPS-supported Fire Control System, panoramic sight, and rapid positioning capability, BORAN delivers more flexible and effective solutions in the field compared to conventional systems. Capable of achieving six rounds per minute at normal firing tempo, the system holds the world firing rate record in its class with the capacity to deliver twelve accurate rounds in 33 seconds during emergency situations.

Turkish defense industry has made significant progress in recent years in developing indigenous and nationally-sourced weapon systems. The BORAN howitzer is a tangible demonstration of MKE's engineering capability and design capacity. The system was developed to meet the requirements of Turkey's land forces and adapts to modern tactical doctrines through its lightweight construction, rapid deployment capability, and high rate of fire. Its export to NATO member states such as Albania validates the system's NATO compliance and operational effectiveness.

In the global lightweight howitzer market, BORAN's counterparts include the Italian Oto Melara HITFIST, American M119 Howitzer, and Austrian Noricum M2A1 systems. BORAN distinguishes itself through its lighter construction, higher rate of fire, and wheel-mounted firing capability compared to these systems. With increasing demand in Asian and European markets, BORAN strengthens MKE's export portfolio and creates new market opportunities for Turkish defense industry. The system is regarded as a platform expected to be exported to additional nations in coming years.