Albanian Air Force
Encyclopedia
The Albanian Air Force is the national Air Force
of the Albanian military. Currently it operates under the Albanian Joint Forces Command
and it is regrouped in the Albanian Air Brigade. The headquarters is located in Tirana
and it operates two airbases, Kuçova Air Base
and Tirana Air Base
.
in 1914, when the Albanian government ordered three Lohner Daimler
aircraft from Austria
to form the Albanian Air Corps. As a result of the outbreak of World War I
, the order was cancelled. Albania did not have the resources to restart the development of a proper Air Force
during the 1920s and 1930s.
After World War II
, the Albanian Air Force finally came into existence when Albania was equipped with Soviet
aircraft. The first squadron was equipped with Yakovlev Yak-9
s. The first jet fighter to enter service was the MiG-15, dating officially the 15th of May 1955, followed by the MiG-17. Some of the MiG-15s were Soviet fighters used and then withdrawn from the North Korean Air Force
. The backbone of the Albanian Air Force jet fighters became MiG-19
, NATO code "Farmer". 12 MiG-19
PM were delivered by the USSR in October 1959 and on the same year pilots and specialists were sent in USSR to train with the allweather interceptor MiG-19 PM. After the collapse of USSR-Albania
n relations, significant numbers of Shenyang J-6
fighters (Chinese
copy of the MiG-19
S), were delivered from China
. In the early 70s, Albania exchanged its lot of Soviet made MiG-19
PM (NATO code "Farmer-E"/beam-riding missiles equipped), with 12, more advanced, Chengdu J-7
A fighters (Chinese
copy of the Soviet built MiG-21). Two of them were lost in incidents in the early 70s, eight had problems with lack of batteries in the early 80s.
In total, during the 70s and early 80s, the Albanian Air Force was able to deploy 72 Shenyang J-6C, 12 Chengdu J-7A, a fighting squadron equipped with 12 MiG-17, a considerable number of MiG-15 (both BIS and UTI versions), and 4 Soviet made transport aircraft Il-14
. A squadron of Shijiazhuang Y-5
was deployed in Tirana
and the Air Force Academy in Vlora had 2 squadrons of Yak-18 for basic pilot training purposes. The Helicopter
component consisted in 37 helicopters Harbin Z-5
based in Farka Tirana
, meanwhile there was a single prototype of a light H-5
bomber
based in Rinas.
Due to relations collapse between Albania
and the Chinese
, maintenance became extremely difficult and the number of deadly incidents involving Mikoyan
fighters increased. Despite Albanian efforts and some initial success in repairing and converting the engines of the MiG
s, the lack of specific jet fuel
forced the Albanians
to start production in a national scale, but without having the proper technological know-how, thus resulting in a low-quality production (The first attempt dates on 1961, when the Kuçova factory produced the special Jet
kerosene
called TSI). Such fuel
conditioned the life-time of the jet engines and often was blamed as the main reason of the deadly incidents (35 Albanian pilots lost their life from 1955 to 2005 mainly due to MiG
's mechanical failures). In the early 90s, in an effort to keep the MiG
s flying, the Albanian Air Force received spare parts from Bulgaria
and engines from the ex-GDR. As of 2004, Albania still had 65 J-6C aircraft, although most were not operational and only 2 Chengdu J-7A in flying condition. The Albanian fighter jets were definitively withdrawn from active service in late 2004 after the last deadly incident involving a J-6C during take-off from the military area at Mother Teresa Airport in Tirana
.
Since November 2006, the Air Force operates in a new structure, the Albanian Air Brigade, which is part of the Albanian Joint Forces Command
. Currently, the Albanian Air Brigade does not operate any fixed-wing aircraft but exclusively helicopters. Part of the same Brigade
is also an Air Defence Battalion equipped with 37 mm Antiaircraft artillery. The MANPADS have already been retired from active service on 2008, due to aging factor. The high-altitude surface-to-air HQ-2 - Hong Qian missiles, a modified version of the Lavochkin S-75 (Russian С-75, NATO reporting name SA-2 Guideline), have also been withdrawn from service. 4 Shijiazhuang Y-5
are currently in service, aiming to a small future parachute
capability for some of the country's elite forces.
The An-12 has not been operated by the Albanian Air Force. The sighting in the early 90s that caused this was a visitor.
Many sources refer to about six Li-2s being used in Albania
. Neither the C-47
nor its Russia
n copy, the Li-2, has ever been operated by the Albanian Air Force.
Two Mi-2
were wrongly reported as being operated during the 1980s.
This version of the Mi-8
Hip has not been supplied to Albania
.
The Nopefmobile designation has been incorrectly assumed in the west to apply to the Chinese
built
version of the MiG-17F. The correct designation is Shenyang F-5. No Shenyang F-4 has ever been
exported by China
.
The Albanian Air Force operates various types of helicopters. All of the Albanian fixed-wing aircraft, like the Shenyang
s have been withdrawn from active service in 2005. Close to NATO Integration the Air defense has become a secondary priority for the Albanian military. Current plans are to reduce the manpower of the Albanian Air Force to around 1,400.
Air force
An air force, also known in some countries as an air army, is in the broadest sense, the national military organization that primarily conducts aerial warfare. More specifically, it is the branch of a nation's armed services that is responsible for aerial warfare as distinct from an army, navy or...
of the Albanian military. Currently it operates under the Albanian Joint Forces Command
Albanian Joint Forces Command
The Albanian Joint Forces Command, consists in the branch of the Albanian Armed Forces charged with protecting the territorial integrity of Albania...
and it is regrouped in the Albanian Air Brigade. The headquarters is located in Tirana
Tirana
Tirana is the capital and the largest city of Albania. Modern Tirana was founded as an Ottoman town in 1614 by Sulejman Bargjini, a local ruler from Mullet, although the area has been continuously inhabited since antiquity. Tirana became Albania's capital city in 1920 and has a population of over...
and it operates two airbases, Kuçova Air Base
Kuçova Air Base
Kuçova Air Base is located in the south of the country, between Vlorë and Korcë, 40 miles south of Tiranë. It was opened in 1955. Over time, it has hosted all the fighter types used by the Albanian AF - except the F-7A. This base also houses the Aviation Maintenance Unit which performs complete...
and Tirana Air Base
Lapraka Airfield
The Lapraka Airfield or Tirana Aerodrome was a Airfield located in Tirana, Albania. It is the former airport of Albania's capital. It used to house an air force regiment with Y-5s, operating from the old runway, and later, from the grass runway...
.
History
Military aviation started in AlbaniaAlbania
Albania , officially known as the Republic of Albania , is a country in Southeastern Europe, in the Balkans region. It is bordered by Montenegro to the northwest, Kosovo to the northeast, the Republic of Macedonia to the east and Greece to the south and southeast. It has a coast on the Adriatic Sea...
in 1914, when the Albanian government ordered three Lohner Daimler
Gottlieb Daimler
Gottlieb Daimler was an engineer, industrial designer and industrialist born in Schorndorf , in what is now Germany. He was a pioneer of internal-combustion engines and automobile development...
aircraft from Austria
Austria
Austria , officially the Republic of Austria , is a landlocked country of roughly 8.4 million people in Central Europe. It is bordered by the Czech Republic and Germany to the north, Slovakia and Hungary to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the...
to form the Albanian Air Corps. As a result of the outbreak of World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
, the order was cancelled. Albania did not have the resources to restart the development of a proper Air Force
Air force
An air force, also known in some countries as an air army, is in the broadest sense, the national military organization that primarily conducts aerial warfare. More specifically, it is the branch of a nation's armed services that is responsible for aerial warfare as distinct from an army, navy or...
during the 1920s and 1930s.
After World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, the Albanian Air Force finally came into existence when Albania was equipped with Soviet
Soviet Union
The Soviet Union , officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics , was a constitutionally socialist state that existed in Eurasia between 1922 and 1991....
aircraft. The first squadron was equipped with Yakovlev Yak-9
Yakovlev Yak-9
The Yakovlev Yak-9 was a single-engine fighter aircraft used by the Soviet Union in World War II and after. Fundamentally a lighter development of the Yak-7 with the same armament, it arrived at the front at the end of 1942. The Yak-9 had a lowered rear fuselage decking and all-around vision canopy...
s. The first jet fighter to enter service was the MiG-15, dating officially the 15th of May 1955, followed by the MiG-17. Some of the MiG-15s were Soviet fighters used and then withdrawn from the North Korean Air Force
North Korean Air Force
The Korean People's Army Air Force, , is the name of the unified aviation forces of North Korea. The KPAF is the second-largest branch of the Korean People's Army with an estimated 110,000 personnel. It possesses between 1,600 and 1,700 aircraft of different types, mostly of Soviet and Chinese...
. The backbone of the Albanian Air Force jet fighters became MiG-19
Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-19
The Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-19 is a Soviet second-generation, single-seat, twin jet-engined fighter aircraft. It was the first Soviet production aircraft capable of supersonic speeds in level flight. A comparable U.S...
, NATO code "Farmer". 12 MiG-19
Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-19
The Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-19 is a Soviet second-generation, single-seat, twin jet-engined fighter aircraft. It was the first Soviet production aircraft capable of supersonic speeds in level flight. A comparable U.S...
PM were delivered by the USSR in October 1959 and on the same year pilots and specialists were sent in USSR to train with the allweather interceptor MiG-19 PM. After the collapse of USSR-Albania
Albania
Albania , officially known as the Republic of Albania , is a country in Southeastern Europe, in the Balkans region. It is bordered by Montenegro to the northwest, Kosovo to the northeast, the Republic of Macedonia to the east and Greece to the south and southeast. It has a coast on the Adriatic Sea...
n relations, significant numbers of Shenyang J-6
Shenyang J-6
The Shenyang J-6 was the Chinese-built version of the Soviet MiG-19 'Farmer' fighter aircraft.-Design and development:...
fighters (Chinese
People's Republic of China
China , officially the People's Republic of China , is the most populous country in the world, with over 1.3 billion citizens. Located in East Asia, the country covers approximately 9.6 million square kilometres...
copy of the MiG-19
Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-19
The Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-19 is a Soviet second-generation, single-seat, twin jet-engined fighter aircraft. It was the first Soviet production aircraft capable of supersonic speeds in level flight. A comparable U.S...
S), were delivered from China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
. In the early 70s, Albania exchanged its lot of Soviet made MiG-19
Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-19
The Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-19 is a Soviet second-generation, single-seat, twin jet-engined fighter aircraft. It was the first Soviet production aircraft capable of supersonic speeds in level flight. A comparable U.S...
PM (NATO code "Farmer-E"/beam-riding missiles equipped), with 12, more advanced, Chengdu J-7
Chengdu J-7
The Chengdu Jian-7 is a People's Republic of China-built version of the Soviet Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21. Though production ceased in 2008 it continues to serve, mostly as an interceptor, in several air forces, including China's.-Design and development:...
A fighters (Chinese
People's Republic of China
China , officially the People's Republic of China , is the most populous country in the world, with over 1.3 billion citizens. Located in East Asia, the country covers approximately 9.6 million square kilometres...
copy of the Soviet built MiG-21). Two of them were lost in incidents in the early 70s, eight had problems with lack of batteries in the early 80s.
In total, during the 70s and early 80s, the Albanian Air Force was able to deploy 72 Shenyang J-6C, 12 Chengdu J-7A, a fighting squadron equipped with 12 MiG-17, a considerable number of MiG-15 (both BIS and UTI versions), and 4 Soviet made transport aircraft Il-14
Ilyushin Il-14
The Ilyushin Il-14 was a Soviet twin-engine commercial and military personnel and cargo transport aircraft that first flew in 1950, and entered service in 1954. Il-14 was also manufactured in East Germany by VVB Flugzeugbau, in Czechoslovakia as the Avia 14, and in China under the Chinese...
. A squadron of Shijiazhuang Y-5
Antonov An-2
The Antonov An-2 is a single-engine biplane utility/agricultural aircraft designed in the USSR in 1946...
was deployed in Tirana
Tirana
Tirana is the capital and the largest city of Albania. Modern Tirana was founded as an Ottoman town in 1614 by Sulejman Bargjini, a local ruler from Mullet, although the area has been continuously inhabited since antiquity. Tirana became Albania's capital city in 1920 and has a population of over...
and the Air Force Academy in Vlora had 2 squadrons of Yak-18 for basic pilot training purposes. The Helicopter
Helicopter
A helicopter is a type of rotorcraft in which lift and thrust are supplied by one or more engine-driven rotors. This allows the helicopter to take off and land vertically, to hover, and to fly forwards, backwards, and laterally...
component consisted in 37 helicopters Harbin Z-5
Mil Mi-4
The Mil Mi-4 was a Soviet transport helicopter that served in both military and civilian roles.-Design and development:...
based in Farka Tirana
Tirana
Tirana is the capital and the largest city of Albania. Modern Tirana was founded as an Ottoman town in 1614 by Sulejman Bargjini, a local ruler from Mullet, although the area has been continuously inhabited since antiquity. Tirana became Albania's capital city in 1920 and has a population of over...
, meanwhile there was a single prototype of a light H-5
Ilyushin Il-28
The Ilyushin Il-28 is a jet bomber aircraft of the immediate postwar period that was originally manufactured for the Soviet Air Force. It was the USSR's first such aircraft to enter large-scale production. It was also licence-built in China as the Harbin H-5. Total production in the USSR was 6,316...
bomber
Bomber
A bomber is a military aircraft designed to attack ground and sea targets, by dropping bombs on them, or – in recent years – by launching cruise missiles at them.-Classifications of bombers:...
based in Rinas.
Albania
Albania , officially known as the Republic of Albania , is a country in Southeastern Europe, in the Balkans region. It is bordered by Montenegro to the northwest, Kosovo to the northeast, the Republic of Macedonia to the east and Greece to the south and southeast. It has a coast on the Adriatic Sea...
and the Chinese
People's Republic of China
China , officially the People's Republic of China , is the most populous country in the world, with over 1.3 billion citizens. Located in East Asia, the country covers approximately 9.6 million square kilometres...
, maintenance became extremely difficult and the number of deadly incidents involving Mikoyan
Mikoyan
Russian Aircraft Corporation MiG , or RSK MiG, is a Russian joint stock company. Formerly Mikoyan-and-Gurevich Design Bureau , then simply Mikoyan, it is a military aircraft design bureau, primarily designing fighter aircraft...
fighters increased. Despite Albanian efforts and some initial success in repairing and converting the engines of the MiG
Mig
-Industry:*MiG, now Mikoyan, a Russian aircraft corporation, formerly the Mikoyan-Gurevich Design Bureau*Metal inert gas welding or MIG welding, a type of welding using an electric arc and a shielding gas-Business and finance:...
s, the lack of specific jet fuel
Jet fuel
Jet fuel is a type of aviation fuel designed for use in aircraft powered by gas-turbine engines. It is clear to straw-colored in appearance. The most commonly used fuels for commercial aviation are Jet A and Jet A-1 which are produced to a standardized international specification...
forced the Albanians
Albanians
Albanians are a nation and ethnic group native to Albania and neighbouring countries. They speak the Albanian language. More than half of all Albanians live in Albania and Kosovo...
to start production in a national scale, but without having the proper technological know-how, thus resulting in a low-quality production (The first attempt dates on 1961, when the Kuçova factory produced the special Jet
Jet aircraft
A jet aircraft is an aircraft propelled by jet engines. Jet aircraft generally fly much faster than propeller-powered aircraft and at higher altitudes – as high as . At these altitudes, jet engines achieve maximum efficiency over long distances. The engines in propeller-powered aircraft...
kerosene
Kerosene
Kerosene, sometimes spelled kerosine in scientific and industrial usage, also known as paraffin or paraffin oil in the United Kingdom, Hong Kong, Ireland and South Africa, is a combustible hydrocarbon liquid. The name is derived from Greek keros...
called TSI). Such fuel
Fuel
Fuel is any material that stores energy that can later be extracted to perform mechanical work in a controlled manner. Most fuels used by humans undergo combustion, a redox reaction in which a combustible substance releases energy after it ignites and reacts with the oxygen in the air...
conditioned the life-time of the jet engines and often was blamed as the main reason of the deadly incidents (35 Albanian pilots lost their life from 1955 to 2005 mainly due to MiG
Mig
-Industry:*MiG, now Mikoyan, a Russian aircraft corporation, formerly the Mikoyan-Gurevich Design Bureau*Metal inert gas welding or MIG welding, a type of welding using an electric arc and a shielding gas-Business and finance:...
's mechanical failures). In the early 90s, in an effort to keep the MiG
Mig
-Industry:*MiG, now Mikoyan, a Russian aircraft corporation, formerly the Mikoyan-Gurevich Design Bureau*Metal inert gas welding or MIG welding, a type of welding using an electric arc and a shielding gas-Business and finance:...
s flying, the Albanian Air Force received spare parts from Bulgaria
Bulgaria
Bulgaria , officially the Republic of Bulgaria , is a parliamentary democracy within a unitary constitutional republic in Southeast Europe. The country borders Romania to the north, Serbia and Macedonia to the west, Greece and Turkey to the south, as well as the Black Sea to the east...
and engines from the ex-GDR. As of 2004, Albania still had 65 J-6C aircraft, although most were not operational and only 2 Chengdu J-7A in flying condition. The Albanian fighter jets were definitively withdrawn from active service in late 2004 after the last deadly incident involving a J-6C during take-off from the military area at Mother Teresa Airport in Tirana
Tirana
Tirana is the capital and the largest city of Albania. Modern Tirana was founded as an Ottoman town in 1614 by Sulejman Bargjini, a local ruler from Mullet, although the area has been continuously inhabited since antiquity. Tirana became Albania's capital city in 1920 and has a population of over...
.
Since November 2006, the Air Force operates in a new structure, the Albanian Air Brigade, which is part of the Albanian Joint Forces Command
Albanian Joint Forces Command
The Albanian Joint Forces Command, consists in the branch of the Albanian Armed Forces charged with protecting the territorial integrity of Albania...
. Currently, the Albanian Air Brigade does not operate any fixed-wing aircraft but exclusively helicopters. Part of the same Brigade
Brigade
A brigade is a major tactical military formation that is typically composed of two to five battalions, plus supporting elements depending on the era and nationality of a given army and could be perceived as an enlarged/reinforced regiment...
is also an Air Defence Battalion equipped with 37 mm Antiaircraft artillery. The MANPADS have already been retired from active service on 2008, due to aging factor. The high-altitude surface-to-air HQ-2 - Hong Qian missiles, a modified version of the Lavochkin S-75 (Russian С-75, NATO reporting name SA-2 Guideline), have also been withdrawn from service. 4 Shijiazhuang Y-5
Antonov An-2
The Antonov An-2 is a single-engine biplane utility/agricultural aircraft designed in the USSR in 1946...
are currently in service, aiming to a small future parachute
Parachute
A parachute is a device used to slow the motion of an object through an atmosphere by creating drag, or in the case of ram-air parachutes, aerodynamic lift. Parachutes are usually made out of light, strong cloth, originally silk, now most commonly nylon...
capability for some of the country's elite forces.
Former Soviet and Chinese aircraft
| Aircraft Type | Quantity | Service Entry | Retirement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Y-5 | 13 | 1963 | Partial. 2005 |
| Il-14 Ilyushin Il-14 The Ilyushin Il-14 was a Soviet twin-engine commercial and military personnel and cargo transport aircraft that first flew in 1950, and entered service in 1954. Il-14 was also manufactured in East Germany by VVB Flugzeugbau, in Czechoslovakia as the Avia 14, and in China under the Chinese... |
4 | 1957 | 2005 |
| H-5 Ilyushin Il-28 The Ilyushin Il-28 is a jet bomber aircraft of the immediate postwar period that was originally manufactured for the Soviet Air Force. It was the USSR's first such aircraft to enter large-scale production. It was also licence-built in China as the Harbin H-5. Total production in the USSR was 6,316... |
1 | 1957 | 1997 |
| MiG-15bis | 26 | 1955 | 2005 |
| MiG-15UTI | 12 | 1955 | 2005 |
| Shenyang J-5 Shenyang J-5 The Shenyang J-5 , originally designated Dongfeng-101 - , and also Type 56 before being designated J-5 in 1964, is a Chinese-built single-seat jet interceptor and fighter aircraft derived from the Soviet Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-17. The J-5 was exported as the F-5... |
12 | 1962 | 2005 |
| Shenyang J-6 Shenyang J-6 The Shenyang J-6 was the Chinese-built version of the Soviet MiG-19 'Farmer' fighter aircraft.-Design and development:... C |
82 | 1959 | 2005 |
| Chengdu J-7 Chengdu J-7 The Chengdu Jian-7 is a People's Republic of China-built version of the Soviet Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21. Though production ceased in 2008 it continues to serve, mostly as an interceptor, in several air forces, including China's.-Design and development:... A |
12 | 1965 | 2005 |
| JJ-5 Shenyang J-5 The Shenyang J-5 , originally designated Dongfeng-101 - , and also Type 56 before being designated J-5 in 1964, is a Chinese-built single-seat jet interceptor and fighter aircraft derived from the Soviet Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-17. The J-5 was exported as the F-5... |
8 | 1962 | 2005 |
| Z-5 Mil Mi-4 The Mil Mi-4 was a Soviet transport helicopter that served in both military and civilian roles.-Design and development:... |
37 | 1957 | 2005 |
| CJ-6 | 20 | 1962 | 2005 |
Deployment of the Albanian Air Force until 2005
| Unit | Type | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 4004 Regiment | 1st Squadron CJ-6 Nanchang CJ-6 -See also:-External links:***... Military Aviation Academy |
Vlora |
| 2nd Squadron CJ-6 Nanchang CJ-6 -See also:-External links:***... Military Aviation Academy |
Vlora | |
| 3rd Squadron MiG-15bis, MiG-15UTI | Kucova Berat Berat Berat is a town located in south-central Albania. As of 2009, the town has an estimated population of around 71,000 people. It is the capital of both the District of Berat and the larger County of Berat... |
|
| 4010 Regiment | 1st Squadron Chengdu J-7 Chengdu J-7 The Chengdu Jian-7 is a People's Republic of China-built version of the Soviet Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21. Though production ceased in 2008 it continues to serve, mostly as an interceptor, in several air forces, including China's.-Design and development:... A, Shenyang J-5 Shenyang J-5 The Shenyang J-5 , originally designated Dongfeng-101 - , and also Type 56 before being designated J-5 in 1964, is a Chinese-built single-seat jet interceptor and fighter aircraft derived from the Soviet Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-17. The J-5 was exported as the F-5... |
Zadrima Lezha |
| 2nd Squadron Shenyang J-6 Shenyang J-6 The Shenyang J-6 was the Chinese-built version of the Soviet MiG-19 'Farmer' fighter aircraft.-Design and development:... C |
Zadrima Lezha | |
| 3rd Squadron Shenyang J-6 Shenyang J-6 The Shenyang J-6 was the Chinese-built version of the Soviet MiG-19 'Farmer' fighter aircraft.-Design and development:... C |
Zadrima Lezha | |
| 4020 Regiment | 1st Squadron Shenyang J-6 Shenyang J-6 The Shenyang J-6 was the Chinese-built version of the Soviet MiG-19 'Farmer' fighter aircraft.-Design and development:... C, MiG-15bis, Il-14 Ilyushin Il-14 The Ilyushin Il-14 was a Soviet twin-engine commercial and military personnel and cargo transport aircraft that first flew in 1950, and entered service in 1954. Il-14 was also manufactured in East Germany by VVB Flugzeugbau, in Czechoslovakia as the Avia 14, and in China under the Chinese... |
Rinas Tirana Tirana Tirana is the capital and the largest city of Albania. Modern Tirana was founded as an Ottoman town in 1614 by Sulejman Bargjini, a local ruler from Mullet, although the area has been continuously inhabited since antiquity. Tirana became Albania's capital city in 1920 and has a population of over... |
| 2nd Squadron Shenyang J-6 Shenyang J-6 The Shenyang J-6 was the Chinese-built version of the Soviet MiG-19 'Farmer' fighter aircraft.-Design and development:... C, MiG-15bis, Il-14 Ilyushin Il-14 The Ilyushin Il-14 was a Soviet twin-engine commercial and military personnel and cargo transport aircraft that first flew in 1950, and entered service in 1954. Il-14 was also manufactured in East Germany by VVB Flugzeugbau, in Czechoslovakia as the Avia 14, and in China under the Chinese... |
Rinas Tirana Tirana Tirana is the capital and the largest city of Albania. Modern Tirana was founded as an Ottoman town in 1614 by Sulejman Bargjini, a local ruler from Mullet, although the area has been continuously inhabited since antiquity. Tirana became Albania's capital city in 1920 and has a population of over... |
|
| 4030 Regiment | 1st Squadron Shenyang J-6 Shenyang J-6 The Shenyang J-6 was the Chinese-built version of the Soviet MiG-19 'Farmer' fighter aircraft.-Design and development:... C, MiG-15bis, |
Kucova Berat Berat Berat is a town located in south-central Albania. As of 2009, the town has an estimated population of around 71,000 people. It is the capital of both the District of Berat and the larger County of Berat... |
| 2nd Squadron JJ-5 Shenyang J-5 The Shenyang J-5 , originally designated Dongfeng-101 - , and also Type 56 before being designated J-5 in 1964, is a Chinese-built single-seat jet interceptor and fighter aircraft derived from the Soviet Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-17. The J-5 was exported as the F-5... , MiG-15bis |
Kucova Berat Berat Berat is a town located in south-central Albania. As of 2009, the town has an estimated population of around 71,000 people. It is the capital of both the District of Berat and the larger County of Berat... |
|
| 4040 Regiment | 1st Squadron Mil Mi-4 Mil Mi-4 The Mil Mi-4 was a Soviet transport helicopter that served in both military and civilian roles.-Design and development:... , Z-5 Mil Mi-4 The Mil Mi-4 was a Soviet transport helicopter that served in both military and civilian roles.-Design and development:... |
Farka Tirana Tirana Tirana is the capital and the largest city of Albania. Modern Tirana was founded as an Ottoman town in 1614 by Sulejman Bargjini, a local ruler from Mullet, although the area has been continuously inhabited since antiquity. Tirana became Albania's capital city in 1920 and has a population of over... |
| 2nd Squadron Z-5 Mil Mi-4 The Mil Mi-4 was a Soviet transport helicopter that served in both military and civilian roles.-Design and development:... |
Farka Tirana Tirana Tirana is the capital and the largest city of Albania. Modern Tirana was founded as an Ottoman town in 1614 by Sulejman Bargjini, a local ruler from Mullet, although the area has been continuously inhabited since antiquity. Tirana became Albania's capital city in 1920 and has a population of over... |
|
| 3rd Squadron Z-5 Mil Mi-4 The Mil Mi-4 was a Soviet transport helicopter that served in both military and civilian roles.-Design and development:... |
Farka Tirana Tirana Tirana is the capital and the largest city of Albania. Modern Tirana was founded as an Ottoman town in 1614 by Sulejman Bargjini, a local ruler from Mullet, although the area has been continuously inhabited since antiquity. Tirana became Albania's capital city in 1920 and has a population of over... |
|
| 4050 Regiment | 1st Squadron Y-5, AS-350, Bell 222 Bell 222 The Bell 222 is a twin-engined light helicopter built by Bell Helicopter. The Bell 230 is an improved development with different engines and other minor changes. A cosmetically modified version of the 222 was used as the titular aircraft in the US television series Airwolf.-Development:In the late... /VIP (lost in incident 2006), Mil Mi-8 Mil Mi-8 The Mil Mi-8 is a medium twin-turbine transport helicopter that can also act as a gunship. The Mi-8 is the world's most-produced helicopter, and is used by over 50 countries. Russia is the largest operator of the Mi-8/Mi-17 helicopter.... |
Rinas Tirana Tirana Tirana is the capital and the largest city of Albania. Modern Tirana was founded as an Ottoman town in 1614 by Sulejman Bargjini, a local ruler from Mullet, although the area has been continuously inhabited since antiquity. Tirana became Albania's capital city in 1920 and has a population of over... |
| Ministry of Health Aviation Unit | SA 316 | Tirana Aerodrome |
Aircraft falsely reported
- An-12 Cub
The An-12 has not been operated by the Albanian Air Force. The sighting in the early 90s that caused this was a visitor.
- Li-2 Cab / C-47 Dakota
Many sources refer to about six Li-2s being used in Albania
Albania
Albania , officially known as the Republic of Albania , is a country in Southeastern Europe, in the Balkans region. It is bordered by Montenegro to the northwest, Kosovo to the northeast, the Republic of Macedonia to the east and Greece to the south and southeast. It has a coast on the Adriatic Sea...
. Neither the C-47
C-47 Skytrain
The Douglas C-47 Skytrain or Dakota is a military transport aircraft that was developed from the Douglas DC-3 airliner. It was used extensively by the Allies during World War II and remained in front line operations through the 1950s with a few remaining in operation to this day.-Design and...
nor its Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
n copy, the Li-2, has ever been operated by the Albanian Air Force.
- Mil Mi-2Mil Mi-2The Mil Mi-2 is a small, lightly armored transport helicopter that could also provide close air support when armed with 57 mm rockets and a 23 mm cannon.-Design and development:...
Hoplite
Two Mi-2
Mil Mi-2
The Mil Mi-2 is a small, lightly armored transport helicopter that could also provide close air support when armed with 57 mm rockets and a 23 mm cannon.-Design and development:...
were wrongly reported as being operated during the 1980s.
- Mil Mi-17Mil Mi-17The Mil Mi-17 is a Russian helicopter currently in production at two factories in Kazan and Ulan-Ude...
This version of the Mi-8
Mil Mi-8
The Mil Mi-8 is a medium twin-turbine transport helicopter that can also act as a gunship. The Mi-8 is the world's most-produced helicopter, and is used by over 50 countries. Russia is the largest operator of the Mi-8/Mi-17 helicopter....
Hip has not been supplied to Albania
Albania
Albania , officially known as the Republic of Albania , is a country in Southeastern Europe, in the Balkans region. It is bordered by Montenegro to the northwest, Kosovo to the northeast, the Republic of Macedonia to the east and Greece to the south and southeast. It has a coast on the Adriatic Sea...
.
- Shenyang F-4
The Nopefmobile designation has been incorrectly assumed in the west to apply to the Chinese
People's Republic of China
China , officially the People's Republic of China , is the most populous country in the world, with over 1.3 billion citizens. Located in East Asia, the country covers approximately 9.6 million square kilometres...
built
version of the MiG-17F. The correct designation is Shenyang F-5. No Shenyang F-4 has ever been
exported by China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
.
Current Inventory
- See full article: List of Albanian Air Force aircraft
The Albanian Air Force operates various types of helicopters. All of the Albanian fixed-wing aircraft, like the Shenyang
Shenyang Aircraft Corporation
Shenyang Aircraft Corporation is a Chinese civilian and military aircraft manufacturer located in Shenyang. Founded in 1953, it is one of the oldest aircraft manufacturers in the People's Republic of China. Many aircraft manufacturers in China such as Chengdu Aircraft Industry Group or Guizhou...
s have been withdrawn from active service in 2005. Close to NATO Integration the Air defense has become a secondary priority for the Albanian military. Current plans are to reduce the manpower of the Albanian Air Force to around 1,400.