Adrian Shehu, CEO of TCN, speaks at AmCham Albania: From a Local Company to a International Player

Adrian Shehu, CEO of TCN, speaks at AmCham Albania: From a Local Company to a International Player

About TCN

TCN is a System Integrator and Infrastructure Company established in 1996 in Tirana, Albania, with subsidiaries in Kosovo and North Macedonia and a Rep. Office in Tunisia. The company provides advanced technology systems, solutions, and services in defense, security, public safety, air and maritime traffic management, telecommunications, and IT.

TCN executes high-complexity turnkey projects, integrating multivendor technologies into complete and interoperable solutions for government and corporate clients across Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and Central Asia.

As a NATO-qualified supplier and ISO-certified company, TCN emphasizes total quality, reliability, and customer satisfaction, offering full lifecycle support—from design and engineering to installation, integration, and maintenance.

  1. How has TCN evolved from a local company into an international player?

      TCN was founded 29 years ago, as an IT and telecommunications service provider serving the Albanian market. Through consistent delivery of high-quality, technology-driven solutions, TCN quickly built a reputation for reliability and innovation.

      In the early 2000s, the company expanded regionally, first entering Kosovo with telecommunications projects and later contributing to the modernization of Prishtina International Airport, marking its first major international achievement. This success paved the way for projects in North Macedonia, Montenegro, and Bosnia and Herzegovina, solidifying TCN’s position as a regional system integrator.

      A major turning point came in 2010, when Albania joined NATO and TCN became a NATO-qualified supplier. This opened access to international defense and security projects, including long-term missions in Afghanistan, and other projects in Belgium (SHAPE), Hungary, Italy, and the Netherlands, and more recently Portugal and Germany.

      Building on this momentum, TCN diversified into Security and Public Safety, especially Border Security, collaborating with several international organizations like UN, EU, IOM, ICAO, etc. It then entered North Africa and Central Asia, implementing air and maritime surveillance systems in Algeria, Tunisia, Angola, Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan, Turkey, Moldova, etc.

      Today, TCN operates in over 21 countries across Europe, Africa, and Asia, recognized as a trusted international system integrator combining advanced technology, multi-domain expertise, and strong partnerships to deliver complex, turnkey infrastructure and defense solutions.

      2. Which are the strong points and advantages of TCN operating in the competitive international environment?

      • Proven System Integration Expertise. TCN delivers high-complexity turnkey projects, combining multivendor advanced technologies into fully integrated and interoperable systems. This capability allows it the flexibility to act as prime contractor, subcontractor, or joint-venture partner depending on project needs.
      • Broad Domain Competence. The company operates across multiple critical sectors — Defense, Security, Border Management, Air and Maritime Traffic Control, IT and Telecommunications, and Public Safety — giving TCN diversified technical and operational experience.
      • International Recognition and Certifications. TCN is a NATO-qualified supplier and maintains ISO certifications (9001, 14001, 20000-1, 27001, 45001, PAS 99). This ensures compliance with international quality, safety, and information-security standards demanded by international high-end clients.
      • Operational Flexibility and Responsiveness. With a compact, efficient structure and a network of subsidiaries and partners in many countries, TCN can mobilize teams quickly, operate in high-risk or post-conflict regions, and adapt to diverse project environments.
      • Strategic Partnerships. TCN cooperates with world-leading technology manufacturers and defense contractors, bringing state-of-the-art solutions and ensuring best value for customers.
      • Long-Term Customer Relationships. The company emphasizes trust, reliability, and lifecycle support, providing maintenance, upgrades, and after-sale services that ensure lowest total cost of ownership for its clients.
      • Regional and wider international Experience. With successful projects in over 21 countries across Europe, Africa, and Central Asia, TCN has developed deep knowledge of international procurement processes, local regulations, and multinational collaboration frameworks.
      • Strong Reputation for Reliability and Integrity. TCN’s business ethics, transparency, and commitment to mission success have earned the confidence of government agencies, international organizations and defense institutions.

      3. How TCN’s Technical and Commercial Expertise Creates Differentiation

      • End-to-End System Integration Capability. TCN combines engineering design, supply, installation, and integration under one roof. Our multidisciplinary teams transform complex, multivendor technologies into fully functional and interoperable systems, reducing interface risks and ensuring seamless performance — a capability few competitors can match.
      • Deep Technical Know-How Across Multiple Domains. Our engineers have extensive experience in Air Traffic Management, Defense and Security Systems, Border Surveillance, IT, and Telecommunications. This broad technical base allows us to offer innovative, cross-domain solutions tailored to specific mission requirements rather than off-the-shelf products.
      • Strong Partnerships and Access to Leading Technologies. Through long-term cooperation with global OEMs and defense contractors, TCN integrates state-of-the-art technologies while maintaining independence and flexibility. This enables us to design best-value solutions using the most suitable components from different suppliers.
      • Commercial Agility and Competitive Value. Our lean organization and regional cost structure allow TCN to offer very competitive pricing without compromising quality. We focus on total cost of ownership, ensuring clients achieve the best value for money over the system’s lifecycle, not just at procurement.
      • Proven International Performance and Trust. With projects in many countries — including NATO, EU and UN environments — TCN understands complex procurement, export control, and compliance frameworks. This expertise allows us to navigate international tenders efficiently and deliver on time, even in high-risk or post-conflict regions.
      • Long-Term Commitment and Customer Support. Beyond project delivery, TCN provides training, maintenance, and life-cycle support. Our proactive service approach ensures sustained system availability and strengthens long-term relationships with clients and partners.

      4. How important has the cooperation with NATO been for TCN’s growth and reputation

      Cooperation with NATO has been a defining milestone in TCN’s evolution from a regional company to a recognized international system integrator.

      Becoming a NATO-qualified supplier in 2010, shortly after Albania’s accession to NATO, gave TCN access to highly demanding projects that required strict compliance with international quality, security, and operational standards. This cooperation elevated the company’s technical, organizational, and procedural maturity, aligning TCN with the best practices of major defense and technology contractors.

      Through long-term NATO contracts — in Afghanistan, Kosova, Hungary, the Netherlands, Luxembourg and Germany — TCN gained invaluable experience working in multinational, mission-critical environments, often under challenging conditions. These projects enhanced the company’s reputation for reliability, flexibility, and trustworthiness among both NATO agencies and national defense authorities.

      Moreover, NATO engagement strengthened TCN’s credibility with other international organizations such as the EU, UN, IOM, and ICAO, enabling the company to expand its defense, security, and border management operations worldwide.

      In summary, NATO cooperation was instrumental in TCN’s growth — it provided the technical validation, international exposure, and operational credibility that established TCN as a trusted partner in defense and high-technology integration on the intermational stage.

      5. How Partnerships Enhanced TCN’s International Positioning

      International partnerships have been fundamental to TCN’s international growth and reputation. By collaborating with leading defense contractors and advanced technology providers from the USA, UK, Western Europe, and Japan, TCN has gained access to cutting-edge systems, modern engineering methodologies, and proven project management standards.

      These alliances have allowed TCN to integrate world-class technologies into its turnkey solutions while maintaining the flexibility of an independent system integrator. As a result, TCN can offer best-in-class, multi-vendor solutions that meet NATO and EU operational standards, positioning the company as a trusted and capable partner for high-complexity international projects.

      Partnerships have also strengthened TCN’s credibility and visibility in competitive international markets. Working alongside globally recognized firms has validated TCN’s technical expertise, reliability, and compliance culture, facilitating its inclusion in international tenders and multinational consortia.

      In essence, these relationships have transformed TCN from a regional integrator into a recognized international player, capable of delivering state-of-the-art systems and operating confidently within the defense, aviation, and security technology ecosystem.

        6. Which have been TCN’s key and most successful projects

         Prishtina International Airport – Kosovo

        • Prime Contractor | Duration: 2 years
        • Transformation of the former military airport into a 24/7 international airport.
        • TCN supplied and integrated the entire runway technology, including Airfield Ground Lighting (AGL), NAVAIDs, Airport Power Supply systems, and related infrastructure.

        Kosovo Airspace Modernization Program (KAMP)

        • Prime Contractor | Duration: 3 years
        • Design, supply, and integration of a complete CNS (Communications–Navigation–Surveillance) infrastructure, enabling full management of Kosovo’s national airspace by civil aviation authorities.

         Albania National Airspace Modernization Program

        • Subcontractor to Lockheed Martin | Duration: 2 years
        • Implementation of a new Air Traffic Management infrastructure, including new ACC and Tower systems for AlbControl, supporting Albania’s integration into the European ATM network.

        Albania Coastal Surveillance System

        • Prime Contractor | Duration: 1 year
        • Deployment of a coastal radar and AIS surveillance network for the Albanian Border Police, enhancing maritime domain awareness, anti-smuggling operations, and search-and-rescue capability.

        North Macedonia & Montenegro G-A-G Radio System

        • Prime Contractor
        • Supply and integration of a Ground–Air–Ground (GAG) communication system supporting national air forces and NATO aircraft coordination with JFC Naples.

        NATO JFC Brunssum (The Netherlands)

        • Prime Contractor | Duration: 3 years
        • Design and implementation of a comprehensive IT infrastructure upgrade for NATO’s Joint Force Command headquarters.

        NATO FPMS – Camp Novo Selo, Kosovo

        • Prime Contractor | Duration: 3 years
        • Deployment of a Force Protection and Monitoring System (FPMS) for the NATO base, providing situational awareness, perimeter protection, and security monitoring.

        NATO FPAAC – Wiesbaden Air Base, Germany

        • Prime Contractor | Duration: 2 years, ongoing
        • Implementation of an Automated Access Control and Force Protection System for enhanced base security and personnel management.

        Tunisia Maritime Security Program

        • Prime Contractor
        • Delivery of advanced maritime surveillance and control technologies to the National Maritime Guard of Tunisia, including heartbeat detection systems and related equipment.

        NATO TEMPEST IT Equipment – Luxembourg.

        • Prime Contractor | Duration: 3 years, ongoing
        • Provision of TEMPEST-certified IT hardware and secure communications systems for NATO operations in Luxembourg.

        Tirana & Kukës International Airports – Albania

        • Prime Contractor
        • Design and installation of Automated Weather Observation Systems (AWOS), improving flight safety and operational efficiency.

        Turkish Border Police – IT Infrastructure Solution

        • Prime Contractor
        • Supply and integration of IT hardware and software for the Turkish National Police, supporting national border management and anti-smuggling operations.