List of equipment of the Albanian Armed Forces

Modern equipment of the Albanian Army is a list of the equipment currently in use with the Albanian Armed Forces. It includes small arms, combat vehicles, aircraft, watercraft, artillery and transport vehicles. Its main mission is the defense of the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Albania, participation in humanitarian, combat, non-combat and peace support operations. ^{[1] [2]} After the integration of the Albania in North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) was start implementing a defence modernisation programme which consist on the demolition of the surplus armament inherited from the communist regime and its replacement with modern weapons of NATO standards. ^[3]

Modernisation program

The process of modernization of the AAF is based on the short-term, middle-term and long-term objectives and priorities of their restructuring and development aiming at achieving the increase of the operational capacities. The modernization programme started before the country's North Atlantic Treaty Organization membership (on 1 April 2009) with the purchase of armaments produced by the NATO countries. It also started a programme for the disposal and alienation of surplus ammunition inherited from the communist regime for 50 years.

Ground Forces
The modernization of the Land Forces began around 2006, starting with Special Forces such as the BFS (then known as the Batalioni i Operacioneve Speciale, BOS) and the Commandos. Seeing their involvement in NATO peacekeeping operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, the need arose for more modern armaments given that until then these branches used old Soviet or Chinese era armaments. In 2007, the Ministry of Defense (MOD) reached agreement with the German company Heckler & Koch for the purchase of several weapons in limited quantities for special forces, including HK146, two variants of H&K G36, HK417, MP7, and variants of H&K USP. ^[4] Some of them were only for evaluation purposes. In 2009 the Beretta ARX160 was issued in much larger quantities thus becoming the standard assault rifle for the BFS over the HK416 and HK G-36. In 2015, the Colt M4A1 joined ARX160 as standard use alongside it. ^[5] For the 3 infantry battalions, the modernization started in 2013, initially introducing the as standard handgun the Beretta Px4, as a light machine gun H&K MG4 and H&K MG5 as a General-purpose machine gun. ^[6]
In 2015 other weapons were introduced over all ground units. The 2nd Infantry Battalion (B2K) was equipped with Colt M4A1. ^[7] The Military Police was equipped with the Beretta ARX160 and added 4 new Iveco LMV vehicles. ^{[8] [9]} The Sako TRG-22 and TGR-44 were distributed to all sniper units, while the Benelli M4 Super 90 to the BFS and MP for Close-quarters combat.
The following year the Italian Government offered an aid package of 5,000 Beretta AR70/90 units, which at the time were in the process of being withdrawn and replaced in favor of the Beretta ARX160 over Italian Army. ^[10] This package fitted the needs of the Albanian Armed Forces (AAF) as the process of replacing the old Soviet 7.62×39mm ammunition with 5.56×45mm, a task-requirement by Standardization Agreement (STANAG) of NATO allies since Albania's accession in 2009. ^[11] The process that was expected to last within 10 years, but the aid package helped completing the process 4 years earlier and without additional costs. After the process of replacing the AK47 variants (many of which were locally produced under the name ASh-78 and ASh-82) with the AR70/90 was ended, the rifle became the standard weapon and most used over most Land Forces branches.
In 2017 the Combat Support Battalion (Batalioni Mbështetjes së Luftimit, BML) was equipped with Hirtenberger M6 60mm and Hirtenberger M8 81mm mortars by the Austrian company Hirtenberger Defense Systems. Thus removing from use the Chinese made mortars from the communist period. In March of the same year came the first 77 HMMWV M1114 of an aid package totaling 250 armored vehicles. They are obtained from Excess Defense Articles (EDA) through the Defense Security Cooperation Agency, a United States program to support NATO partners and allies. ^[12] The vehicles were immediately put at the service of B1K. In 2019 came the second part of the package of 250 vehicles and it consisted of 36 International MaxxPro and 1 MaxxPro Wrecker recovery vehicle. These vehicles joined the previous 3 MaxxPro bringing the total number of MRAPs used by Special Forces to 40. ^{[12] [13]}

Naval Forces
In 2007, was signed a contracts with the Damen Group for the or completing of the Albanian Naval Forces with patrol vessels to be used to perform a number of tasks and duties, including coastal patrols, search and rescue, control and monitoring of maritime traffic, marine environment protection. The contract envisaged the construction of 4 vessels of the Damen Stan 4207 class, which the first of them would be built in Netherlands and 3 others in the Pasha Liman naval base in Albania. The first patrol vessel, named Iliria P-132, was built and delivered to the Albanian Coast Guard in August 2008. Enabling thus the following construction of 3 other patrol vessels in Pasha Liman Base by Albanian carpenters assisted by the experts of Damen Group. The second patrol vessel Oriku P-133 will be commissioned in September 2011, the third ship, Lisus P-133, will be operational in 2012 and fourth Butrint P-134 in 2013. ^{[14] [15] [16]}

Individual Equipment

Model	Type	Origin	Image	Details
Helmets
Ops Core FAST	Combat Helmet	United States		Used by the Special Forces Personnel
Camouflage
Multicam	Camouflage Pattern	United States		Crye-based Multicam used by Albanian special forces personnel. [17]
Night Vision
AN/PSV-18 (MNVD)	Night Vision	United States
AN/PSV-15 (NVB)	Night Vision	United States
Ballistic Protection Equipment
MED-ENG EOD 9	Bomb suit	Canada

Weapons

Weapon	Caliber / Type	Origin	Image	Details
Pistols
Beretta Px4	9×19mm	Italy		Standard service handgun of Albanian Land Force. Since 2013 has started the replacement of TT-33, PM eventually, the M9. [6]
Beretta APX	9x19mm	Italy		In use by the RENEA.
H&K USP P8 H&K USP P12	9×19mm .45 ACP	Germany		Used by BFS, and elsewhere in limited quantities to serve alongside the Beretta Px4.
FN Five-Seven	5.7×28mm	Belgium		Used by BFS
Glock 19	9×19mm	Austria		Used by BFS, and elsewhere in limited quantities to serve alongside the Beretta Px4.
Beretta 92 Yavuz 16	9×19mm	Italy   Turkey		In service since the late 90s as service handgun along with TT-33 and PM. Used mostly by General Staff and special forces until the introductions of Px4, Glock 19 and H&K USPs'.
Submachine guns
H&K MP5 MKEK MP5	9×19mm	West Germany   Turkey		Entirely replaced the PPS-43 and P-84 SMG (domestic version). Used mostly by BFS, Albanian Commandos and the Military Police. The weapon comes in multiple variants, from the standard MP5, MP5PDW and the suppressed MP5SD, to the more easily concealable MP5K, which are stockless and have vertical foregrips. [18] Some of the MP5s were produced in Turkey under license from MKEK and were donated to AAF in December 2013. [19]
Heckler & Koch MP7	HK 4.6×30mm	Germany		Used In limited quantity by BFS and RENEA
Heckler & Koch UMP-45	.45 ACP	Germany		Used In limited quantity by BFS and RENEA
Assault rifles, Battle rifles and carbines
SKS	7.62×39mm	People's Socialist Republic of Albania		Used for ceremonial purposes
AK-47 Type 56 ASh-78	7.62×39mm	Soviet Union   People's Republic of China   People's Socialist Republic of Albania		Standard issue assault rifle, in service since the late 1950s. There are 3 variants, including domestic manufactured version, which are in use by the Albanian Land Force. Since 2013 being phased out in favour of the Beretta AR70/90 and Colt M4A1.
ASh-82	7.62×39mm	People's Socialist Republic of Albania		Copy of AKMS, locally manufactured under license since 1982 by UM Gramsh. There have also been modifications and modernization of heavily modified ASH-82 with SOPMOD accessories, mainly used by BFS, Commandos and Police Special Forces, such as RENEA and Republican Guard special unit and so on.
Beretta ARX160	5.56×45mm	Italy		Since 2010, initially the Beretta ARX160 version has been used by BFS in their missions in Iraq and Afghanistan, serving as well as evaluation purpose. Currently the weapon is in use by Special Forces, Military Police and Engineer Battalion. [18]
Beretta AR70/90	5.56×45mm	Italy		The Italian government decided to donate about 5000 AR70/90 at the end of 2016. [20] Although not one of the most modern weapons in circulation it will serve in fulfillment of one of the objectives set, such as the transition from 7.62×39mm to the 5.56×45mm to be used by all NATO allies. It is the AAF standard primary weapon since 2017 and alongside M4 have totally replaced the AK47 and its variants. [21]
Colt M4A1	5.56×45mm	United States		Delivered in 2015, with the intention that with the AR70/90, it will replace the AK-47 within the next 5 years. Common accessories included the AN/PEQ-2, ACOG or EOTech optics, also the grenade launcher M203 can be mounted. Used as service rifle by 2nd Infantry Battalion (B2K), whereas the BFS, until now has only used it in training. [6] [18]
HS Produkt VHS	5.56×45mm NATO	Croatia		Mainly used by RENEA but it has also been seen used by the army
Heckler & Koch G3	7.62×51mm NATO	West Germany		Standard Issue for the BFS
Heckler & Koch G36	5.56×45mm NATO	Germany		Used by the BFS
Heckler & Koch HK416A7	5.56×45mm NATO	Germany		Used by the BFS [22]
MPT-76	7.62×51mm NATO	Turkey		30 MPT-76s [23] [24] [25]
MPT-55	5.56×45mm NATO	Turkey		30 MPT-55s [23] [26] [27]
Shotguns
Benelli M4 Super 90	12-gauge	Italy		Used by BFS and Military Police.
Sniper rifles. Designated marksman rifles and Anti materiel rifles
Dragunov SVD	7.62×54mmR	Soviet Union		DMR used as a standard issue sniper rifle, part of the Albanian Armed Forces arsenal since before the collapse of the communist regime. Since 2015 being phased out in favour of the Sako TRG-22 and Sako TRG-42. [6] [18]
H&K HK417	7.62×51mm	Germany		The primary designated marksman rifle. It is equipped with an S&B PMII Ultra Short optical sight for long-range engagements. Limited quantity, used by BFS. [18]
Heckler & Koch SR9	7.62×51mm NATO	Germany		Hunting/target rifle Used by the BFS
Heckler & Koch PSG1	7.62×51mm NATO	Germany		Used by the BFS [28]
Sako TRG-22 Sako TRG-42	7.62×51mm .300 Winchester Magnum .338 Lapua Magnum	Finland		Both versions were adopted in 2015 and used as standard snipers of Albanian Armed Forces, to be the replacement of old Dragunov SVDs. The replacement started from the B2K, with the intention within the next 5-years entirely replace on all branches. [6] [18]
Barrett M82	.50 BMG	United States		The M82 recoil-operated, semi-automatic anti-materiel rifle. Very limited quantity, mostly used by BFS as Long-Range Precision Anti Structure rifle.
Steyr HS .50	.50 BMG	Austria
Barrett M99	.50 BMG	United States		[ citation needed ]
Machine guns
DShKM	12.7×108 mm	Albania   People's Socialist Republic of Albania		Locally Made from a Chinese copy of the DShK. Used as standard heavy machine gun. It has also been seen mounted on Humvee vehicles. APCs and Tanks. Sometimes even on patrol vessels. Also used for Air Defense. [29]
M621 NARWHAL	20mm	France		Mounted on Iliria-class patrol vessels [30] [31]
RPD	7.62×39mm	Soviet Union
RPK ASh-78 Tip-2	7.62×39mm	Soviet Union   People's Socialist Republic of Albania
Rheinmetall MG3	7.62x51mm NATO	Germany		[32]
H&K MG4	5.56×45mm	Germany		The MG4 is the standard light support weapon. It features a longer barrel, a bipod and a shoulder strap for greater range and accuracy. Adopted in 2013 with the intention of replacing the RPK within 5 years. Currently used as standard LMG weapon by 2nd Infantry Battalion (B2K) and special forces (BFS and Commandos). [6] [18]
H&K MG5	7.62×51mm	Germany		Was adopted in the Army in 2013 to serve as infantry support, deployment as a vehicle-mounted support weapon, and perhaps in the near future to be used as a helicopter door-gun. Currently used as standard general-purpose machine gun weapon by 2nd Infantry Battalion (B2K) and special forces (BFS and Commandos). [6] [18]
M2 Browning	12.7x99mm NATO	United States		[33]
M134 Minigun	7.62×51mm NATO	United States		To be Mounted on CH-47 Chinook helicopters. [34]
Anti Tank Systems
AT4	84mm	Sweden   United States		Used by the BFS. It replaced the RPG-7. Delivered in 2024.
RPG-7 Type 69 RPG Tip-57	40mm	Soviet Union   People's Republic of China   People's Socialist Republic of Albania		Albania mainly owns the Type 69 rocket launcher, a Chinese copy of the RPG-7. They also have a locally manufactured variant called the "Tip-57." Both are inherited from the communist era and have been kept in storage. In 2022 the MoD published videos on their official YouTube channel where the ground forces were seen using them while training that same year.
FGM-148 Javelin	127mm	United States		On 16 May 2022, Lockheed Martin in a press release stated that the company had received orders from several international customers including Norway, Albania, Latvia and Thailand. [35] The purchase was confirmed a few days later by the Ministry of Defence, Niko Peleshi for yet an undisclosed number and contract value of the system. [36]
BGM-71 TOW	150mm	United States		Seen mounted on Humvee vehicles and MRAP's [33]
HJ-8	120mm	People's Republic of China		[37]
MANPADS
FIM-92 Stinger		United States		Niko Peleshi announcing of coming FIM-92 Stinger for Albanian Armed Forces in 2023 together with FGM-148 Javelin.
9K32 Strela-2		Soviet Union
HN-5		People's Republic of China		100 acquired in 1978 [38]
Grenades and grenade launchers
M84 Stun Grenade		United States
RGD-5		Soviet Union		Hand grenade used by Albanian Land Force since 1970. Being withdrawn from service.
Beretta GLX 160	40×46mm	Italy		Grenade launcher used on Beretta ARX160 [18]
M203	40×46mm	United States		Grenade launcher used on Colt M4A1. [6]

Artillery

Type	Model	Origin	Image	No.	Details
Towed Artillery
130 mm Field Gun	M-46 Type 59	Soviet Union   People's Republic of China		100	18 Type 59-I in 2011, with more guns in Reserve. Operational Status unknown.
152 mm Howitzer	D-20 Type 66	Soviet Union   People's Republic of China		90	90 type 66 supplied from 1968-1973. Operational Status unknown.
122 mm Howitzer	M-30 Type 54 Howitzer	Soviet Union   People's Republic of China		90	Operational status is unknown. Possibly unserviceable.
85 mm Field Gun	D-44 Type 56 Field Gun	Soviet Union   People's Republic of China		18 (?)	Operational status is unknown. Possibly there are more guns.
122 mm Field Gun	D-74 Type 60	Soviet Union   People's Republic of China		(90/100?)	Operational status is unknown. The exact number of guns is unknown.
Multiple rocket launchers
Multiple Rocket Launcher	Type 63 multiple rocket launcher	People's Republic of China		270	[39]
Anti aircraft artillery
Self-propelled Anti-aircraft weapon	M163 VADS	United States		N/A	[40]
Towed Anti-Aircraft Autocannon	ZU-23-2	Soviet Union		N/A
Towed Anti-Aircraft Autocannon	ZPU Type-56	Soviet Union		336	Multiple Variants. Many were captured by rebels during the 1997 Albanian Civil War
Mortars
120mm Heavy Mortar	120-PM-43	Soviet Union		N/A	[41]
60mm Mortar	Hirtenberger M6	Austria		N/A	It has been introduced in service since 2017. Currently used by the Combat Support Battalion, b1K, b2K and b3K [42]
81mm Mortar	Hirtenberger M8	Austria		N/A	It has been introduced in service since 2017. Currently used by the Combat Support Battalion [43]
120mm Heavy Mortar	Soltam K6	United States   Israel		550	M120 Variant Supplied by USA [44]

Vehicles

Type	Model	Origin	Image	No.	Details
Main battle tank
Tank	Type 59 tank	People's Republic of China		40 + 681 in reserve	According to a 2019 report of the Albanian Ministry of Defence 40 out of 721 Tanks in storage were estimated to be combat-ready and capable of being recalled to immediate service without requiring prior maintenance [45] [ failed verification ]
Tank	T-62 Type 69 tank	Soviet Union   People's Republic of China		55 and 40	The year of acquisition of the tanks is unknown. The T-62 was most likely bought from former Warsaw Pact countries at the end of the cold war. The tanks firstly appeared in the Kosovo War along with the Type 59 tanks
Infantry fighting vehicles
Infantry fighting vehicle	BMP-1	Soviet Union   East Germany		17	Albanian Armed Forces obtained 17 ex East German BMP-1s in 1995 [46]
Armoured personnel carriers
Tracked Armoured personnel carrier	M113	United States		250	Intended to replace the BTR-50 APC
Tracked Armoured personnel carrier	BTR-50 Type 77	Soviet Union   People's Republic of China		350	200 BTR-50s and 150 Type 77s.
Reconnaissance vehicles
4x4 Reconnaissance Vehicle	BRDM-2	Soviet Union		30	[47]
Light utility vehicles
Utility Vehicle	Commercial Utility Cargo Vehicle	United States		N/A	Specific variants are Unknown. It was seen during military parades transporting High-Ranking AAF Personnel.
Utility vehicle	Land Rover Defender	United Kingdom   Turkey		~150	The Defenders militarized version is the main utility vehicle of Albanian Armed Forces. More than 100 Land Rover Defender, which are produced by Otokar under license, were donated in two tranches in December 2013 and June 2015 by Turkish government. There are included the Land Rover Defender 150 and Defender 130 to use as utility, ambulances, and rescue vehicles, which will be join to the other part that AAF had in inventory since 2000s. [48] [19] [49]
Utility vehicle	Mercedes-Benz G-Class	Austria   West Germany		~170	No accurate info about the number, year of military activity, or the acquisition method for the G-Class. Since the late 90s, they are often used by the Albanian Armed Forces, along with the Defender, in training, convoys and missions, within the country and abroad. The G-Class number is estimated around 100 and is mostly used as a general utility and liaison vehicle.
Utility vehicle	Iveco VM 90 Torperdo	Italy		250
Utility Vehicle	Otokar APV	Turkey		~50 or More	The vehicles were donated by Turkey. The Akrep is used only by RENEA where it serves as main armoured vehicle. Based on the Land Rover Defender Chassis. [50]
Liaison Bus	Otokar Navigo	Turkey		N/A
Van	Ford Transit VI	United States   Turkey		N/A	[48] [19]
Infantry Mobility Vehicles & MRAPs
Infantry mobility vehicle	Iveco LMV	Italy		~25	The LMV was considered as evaluation purpose as the standard armored vehicle for the AAF. The first four were purchased in October 2015 for the Military Police. [51] In 2018, 3 new vehicles entered service, of which two were donations of the Italian Armed Forces. [52]
Infantry mobility vehicle	Iveco VM 90P	Italy		N/A
Infantry mobility vehicle	HMMWV M1114	United States		250	On 25 November 2015, the Minister of Defence announced in the Committee on National Security that Albanian Armed Forces would be supplied with about 250 armored vehicles (divided into 3 tranches) acquired from the Excess Defense Articles programme, part of the Defense Security Cooperation Agency, in a short-term period. [53] In March 2017 it was confirmed that the first tranche, which amounted to 77 HMMWV up-armored M1114 variant would be delivered within the same year. The HMMWV, most likely will be the standard armoured fighting vehicle of the Albanian Land Force. [12] Another batch of 29 HMMWVs of various variants, including ambulances, was delivered on 25 February 2021. [54]
MRAP	TIMAK SHOTA	Albania		N/A	In a recent announcement on social media, the Albanian Defense Minister Niko Peleshi showcased a major milestone for Albania's defense industry: the development of the country's first armored military vehicle, dubbed "Made in Albania." Peleshi stressed the importance of innovation and encouraged the nation to embrace bold progress. The announcement, made via a Facebook post, highlighted the collaborative efforts with the producer, TIMAK, in creating this revolutionary prototype. Peleshi expressed his confidence that in three weeks, at the Eurosatory fair in Paris, this Albanian product will be successfully presented on an international stage. Peleshi's message also touched on the need to overcome any feelings of intellectual inferiority, a crucial step for Albania to make its mark on the developed world. The Minister of Defense believes that by promoting innovation and trust, Albania can achieve extraordinary results in various sectors, including military technology.
MRAP	International MaxxPro Plus	United States		39	The MaxxPro has been used by BFS since 2012 in its International Security Assistance Force mission in Afghanistan. Probably they were acquired under a leasing contract with the United States Army. In March 2017, 3 MaxxPros Plus acquired from Excess Defense Articles (EDA), part of the DSCA, were delivered to Albania. [12] In February 2019, under the same US assistance program, another aid package consisting of 36 MaxxPro Plus and 1 MaxxPro Wrecker recovery vehicle was sent, bringing the total to 39. [55]
MRAP	Nexter Aravis	France		N/A	soldiers of various units tested the Aravis in 2012 but an unknown amount was bought. [56]
MRAP	Nexter Titus	France   Czech Republic		16	16 vehicles are currently trialed and to enter service soon.
Engineering vehicles
Unmanned Remote-Controlled Mine-Clearing Vehicle	Bozena 5	Slovakia		N/A	[57]
Armoured Recovery Vehicle	International MaxxPro MRV	United States		1	1 truck, delivered in February 2019 along with 46 MaxxPro Plus variants.
Trucks
UAV ground control station Platform	Ford Cargo	United States   Albania		3	Used for carrying the Mobile GCS UAV ground control station paired to Bayraktar TB2 drones [58]
Heavy Equipment Transporter	Tatra T813	Czechoslovakia		N/A	It was Seen transporting Tanks during the Kosovo war.
Mercedes	Unimog	West Germany		N/A
Mercedes	Mercedes-Benz NG	West Germany		N/A
Mercedes	Mercedes-Benz Actros	Germany		N/A	[48] [19]
Rheinmetall MAN Military Vehicles	MAN KAT1	Austria   Germany		N/A	Seen towing Howitzers During a military Parade in 2002.
Liaison And Command Vehicle	Iveco acm 80	Italy		~200	Command Variant seen multiple times, mainly in parades.
Isuzu	Isuzu Type 73	Japan		N/A
Unmanned Ground Vehicles
Unmanned Ground Vehicle	iRobot PackBot 510	United States		N/A

Radars & Electronic Warfare

Type	Model	Origin	Image	No.	Details
Radars
Phased array Long-Range Radar System	AN/TPS-117	United States		3	As of November 2020 [update] , Albania Air Force operates a AN/TPS-117 Long-range radar system on Mida mountain near Pukë, which was a joined investment of Albania and the US through Lockheed Martin with $19 million coming from Albania and $3 million from the US. The radar is integrated into the NATO Integrated Air Defense System. [59] [60]
UAV ground control station	Mobile GCS	Turkey		2	After Bayraktar Drones TB2 received, [61] are installed in Kucova new Air Base with 2 UAV control station from Turkey [62]
Sea maritime radar system	PRT-11 PRT-13 PRT-14 QOV PRT-20 PRT-22 Monitors SVHD PRT-19 PRT-17	United States		9 [63] [64]	In 2014 Albania Signed a contract for 30 million $ with Lockheed Martin Company to repair and put working its Sea Maritime radar systems [65] and in 2020 signed another contract for 750,000$ with the same company for the maintanance of the system [66]
Anti-Drone System	Morpihus	United States		1(on order) [67]	February 2024, Minister of Defence declared that Albania is buying Anti-Drone systems [68]

Aircraft

Main article: Former Albanian Air Force aircraft

Aircraft	Type	Origin	Image	No.	Details
Transport Aircraft
Airbus A319CJ	VIP Transport Aircraft	Germany   France		1	Used for Presidential Transport
Helicopters
CH-47 Chinook	Heavy lift helicopter	United States		0 (5 on order)	In the use of BFS [69]
Mil Mi-8	Utility helicopter	Soviet Union		1	Used by the RENEA Counter-terrorism Police [70]
Bell 212	Utility helicopter	United States   Canada		1	In the use of Emergency and Police of Renea
Eurocopter AS532 Cougar	Utility helicopter	France   United Kingdom		4	On 17 December 2009, the Ministry of Defense signed a contract worth 78,633,288 Euros with Eurocopter for the purchase of 5 Eurocopter AS532 AL Cougar helicopters. [71] The types consist of 1 VIP, 1 SAR, 1 medical evacuation, and 2 troop transportation helicopters. [72] [73] After the VIP helicopter crash in 2012 in the French Alps, in 2013, the Albanian side asked Eurocopter (now Airbus) to cancel the arrival of the last helicopter and its conversion to two light Eurocopter EC145M helicopters. [74] [75]
Eurocopter EC145	Utility helicopter	France   Germany   Japan		3	Initially, the Ministry of Defence decided in 2011 to buy 1 Eurocopter EC145 helicopter VIP variant that will serve as an air transport for the heads of state. The contract was signed on 29 March 2011 with Eurocopter worth €5,350,000. [76] In 2014, the new government after an accident during a test in the French Alps with an AS532 AL Cougar VIP built for AAF, decided to renegotiate the contract by replacing the Cougar helicopter with 2 Eurocopter EC145M SAR. [77] On April 6, 2016, one of the two EC145M SAR helicopters of the Albanian Air Force crashed into Lake Skadar, where two pilots were killed during a training operation. [78]
MBB Bo 105E-4	Utility helicopter	West Germany		12	On 3 April 2006, the final contract for the delivery of 12 Bölkow-Blom MBB BO-105 lightweight twin-engine multi-role helicopters to the Republic of Albania was signed in Tirana between the Albanian Ministry of Defence and Eurocopter Deutschland GmbH. According to the Albanian Government. six of the BO-105 helicopters are designated for the Albanian Air Brigade, four for the Ministry of Interior and the remaining two for the Albanian Ministry of Health.
Agusta-Bell 205A / Bell UH-1 Iroquois	Utility helicopter	United States   Italy		7	3 received in 2004, with a further 4 ordered for delivery through 2006 [79]
Agusta-Bell 206C	Utility helicopter	United States   Canada   Italy		7
AgustaWestland AW109C	Utility helicopter	Italy		1	Used for VIP transport
AS350B	Utility helicopter	France		3	First western helicopter to enter in service. 4 delivered in 1991. At The aircraft were given civil registrations and painted in a bright blue civilian scheme to show clearly their assignment to non-military government tasks including carrying important government personnel, search and rescue, and assistance for the police. A single example has crashed and, while controlled by the air force into the 2000s, the helicopters have been transferred to the Albanian government's Ministry of the Interior where they continue to serve in the same role. [80]
Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk	Utility helicopter	United States		2 (4 more on order)	In April 2019, the Minister of Defense Olta Xhaçka, stated that Albania is in talks for the acquisition of Black Hawk helicopters. [81] In 2021, in an interview with EuroNews, US Lieutenant colonel Erol Munir stated that the number of BlackHawks will be two and they are expected to enter the service during 2023. [82] Two Black Hawks were delivered to Albania in January 2024. [83]
Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs)
RQ-20 Puma	UAV	United States		6	In July 2020, Albania expressed interest in buying 6 RQ-20B Puma Block AE. [84] [85] The training and preparation began in early September 2021 and the UAVs are since then used by the b2K. [86]
Bayraktar TB2	UCAV	Turkey		3 (6 on order) [87]	On 3 July 2021, Albania announced plans to acquire the Bayraktar TB2 UAV. [88] Initially, the UAVs were only intended to be unarmed and to be used only for civil purposes such as monitoring the wildfire and the territory from Illegal constructions, as well as supporting SAR and police operations. In September 2022, during an interview, PM Edi Rama stated that 6 Bayraktar TB2 would be purchased and that, seeing the latest developments of the invasion of Ukraine, the drones would be equipped with weapons, so that in addition to the other previously stated purposes can also be used for military purposes. [89] [90] On 22 December 2022, Prime Minister Edi Rama announced Albania would be buying 3 new Bayraktar drones "the drones, which will be armed and ready for combat, will help authorities in a number of areas, including monitoring the Balkan country's territory, locating cannabis plantations and tracking wildfires" said Rama. [91] [92]
New Loitering Munition drones.	Loitering munition	Turkey	Illustration, the current type is Unknown for now.	(Unknown number to be delivered)	On October 10th 2024. Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama said that Turkey will donate "a significant number of kamikaze drones" to Albania, on the sidelines of a joint press conference with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan during his official visit to Tirana. Rama did not specify the number of drones, but emphasised that "no one should be concerned about who will strike Albania, but in the context of our relations, it is a gift from Turkey. Rama also said that the acquisition of an unspecified number of Turkish kamikaze drones does not mean “Albania will attack anyone.” A spokesperson for the government contacted by Reuters was unable to provide any further details on the number or type of drones.

Air Armaments

Name	Type	Origin	Image	Notes
MAM	Laser-Guided Bomb	Turkey		For Bayraktar TB2 Drones
Roketsan Cirit	AGM	Turkey		For Bayraktar TB2 Drones
UMTAS	AGM	Turkey		For Bayraktar TB2 Drones

Watercraft

Albanian Coast Guard

Class	Type	Origin	Ship	Image	Details
Coastal patrol vessels
Iliria-class	Patrol vessel	Netherlands   Albania	Iliria Oriku Lissus Butrinti		On November 13, 2007, a contract was signed with Damen Shipyards for four Stan Patrol 4207 offshore patrol vessels. The first was built in The Netherlands while the remaining three were built locally in Pashaliman Shipyard in Vlorë. It has full load displacement of 208t and total speed of 26 knots. [93] All four vessels are armed with a remote-controlled 20mm Nexter M621 NARWHAL turret. [94] [95]
Type 227	Patrol boat	Italy	R 123 R 124 R 225 R 226		Built in the years 1966–1969 in Italy. They were transferred from the Italian Coast Guard to the Albanian Coast Guard in 2002. [93] Since then they have served as patrol boats during the summer season and the high tourist flow on the beaches. It has full load displacement of 16t and total speed of 24 knots.
2000-class  [ it; fr ]	Patrol & Training boat	Italy	R 125 R 126 R 127 R 128 R 224 R 227 R 228
5000-class	Patrol boat	Italy	8 boats		Transferred from Italian Guardia di Finanza in 2006. Since then they have been used by the Coast Guard to fight migrant or drug trafficking to Europe. It has 28t full load displacements. [93]
Sea Spectre  [ fr ]	Patrol Boat	United States	R 215 R 216 R 118		Transferred from the US to the Albanian Coast Guard on February 27, 1999.
PCC-class	Patrol boat	United States	R 117 R 217		They were transferred from the US to the Albanian Coast Guard on February 27, 1999. They are equipped with 12.7mm machine guns. It has full load displacement of 18t and total speed of 34 knots. [93]
RB-M		United States	5 boats

Albanian Navy

Class	Type	Origin	Ship	Image	Details
Anti-pollution vessels
Siman C 1297		Italy	Rodoni Y 31 Karaburuni Y 32		[96]

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External links

• Ministry of Defense
• Albanian Armed Forces