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]
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.
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]
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]
| Model | Type | Origin | Image | Details | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Helmets | |||||
| Ops Core FAST | Used by the Special Forces Personnel | ||||
| Camouflage | |||||
| Multicam | Crye-based Multicam used by Albanian special forces personnel.[17] | ||||
| Night Vision | |||||
| AN/PSV-18 (MNVD) | |||||
| AN/PSV-15 (NVB) | |||||
| Ballistic Protection Equipment | |||||
| MED-ENG EOD 9 | |||||
| Weapon | Caliber / Type | Origin | Image | Details | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pistols | |||||
| Standard service handgun of Albanian Land Force. Since 2013 has started the replacement of TT-33, PM eventually, the M9. | |||||
| Beretta APX | 9x19mm | In use by the RENEA. https://patroit.shieldrepublic.com | |||
| 9×19mm .45 ACP | Used by BFS, and elsewhere in limited quantities to serve alongside the Beretta Px4. | ||||
| Used by BFS, and elsewhere in limited quantities to serve alongside the Beretta Px4. | |||||
| | 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 | | 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] | |||
| Used In limited quantity by BFS and RENEA | |||||
| Used In limited quantity by BFS and RENEA | |||||
| Assault rifles, Battle rifles and carbines | |||||
| SKS | Used for ceremonial purposes | ||||
| AK-47 Type 56 ASh-78 | | 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 | 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. | ||||
| 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. | |||||
| 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] | |||||
| align=right | 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. | ||||
| HS Produkt VHS | 5.56×45mm NATO | Mainly used by RENEA but it has also been seen used by the army | |||
| Heckler & Koch G3 | 7.62×51mm NATO | Standard Issue for the BFS | |||
| Heckler & Koch G36 | 5.56×45mm NATO | Used by the BFS | |||
| Heckler & Koch HK416A7 | 5.56×45mm NATO | Used by the BFS[22] | |||
| MPT-76 | 7.62×51mm NATO | 30 MPT-76s[23] [24] [25] | |||
| MPT-55 | 5.56×45mm NATO | 30 MPT-55s[26] [27] [28] | |||
| Shotguns | |||||
| Benelli M4 Super 90 | 12-gauge | Used by BFS and Military Police. | |||
| Sniper rifles. Designated marksman rifles and Anti materiel rifles | |||||
| align=right | 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. | ||||
| 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. | |||||
| Heckler & Koch SR9 | 7.62×51mm NATO | Hunting/target rifle Used by the BFS | |||
| Heckler & Koch PSG1 | 7.62×51mm NATO | Used by the BFS[29] | |||
| Sako TRG-22 Sako TRG-42 | align=right | 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. | |||
| align=right | 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 | ||||
| Barrett M99 | .50 BMG | ||||
| Machine guns | |||||
| DShKm | 12.7×108 mm | | 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.[30] | ||
| M621 NARWHAL | 20mm | Mounted on Iliria-class patrol vessels[31] [32] | |||
| RPK ASh-78 Tip-2 | | ||||
| Rheinmetall MG3 | 7.62x51mm NATO | [33] | |||
| 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). | |||||
| 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). | |||||
| M2 Browning | 12.7x99mm NATO | [34] | |||
| M134 Minigun | 7.62×51mm NATO | To be Mounted on CH-47 Chinook helicopters.[35] | |||
| Anti Tank Systems | |||||
| RPG-7 Type 69 RPG Tip-57 | | 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. | |||
| 127mm | 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.[36] 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.[37] | ||||
| BGM-71 TOW | 150mm | Seen mounted on Humvee vehicles and MRAP's | |||
| HJ-8 | 120mm | [38] | |||
| MANPADS | |||||
| FIM-92 Stinger | Niko Peleshi announcing of coming FIM-92 Stinger for Albanian Armed Forces in 2023 together with FGM-148 Javelin. | ||||
| 9K32 Strela-2 | |||||
| HN-5 | 100 acquired in 1978[39] | ||||
| Grenades and grenade launchers | |||||
| M84 Stun Grenade | |||||
| Hand grenade used by Albanian Land Force since 1970. Being withdrawn from service. | |||||
| Beretta GLX 160 | Grenade launcher used on Beretta ARX160 | ||||
| Grenade launcher used on Colt M4A1. | |||||
| Type | Model | Origin | Image | No. | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Towed Artillery | |||||
| 130 mm Field Gun | M-46 Type 59 | | 100 | 18 Type 59-I in 2011, with more guns in Reserve. Operational Status unknown. | |
| 152 mm Howitzer | D-20 Type 66 | | 90 | 90 type 66 supplied from 1968-1973. Operational Status unknown. | |
| 122 mm Howitzer | M-30 Type 54 Howitzer | | 90 | Operational status is unknown. Possibly unserviceable. | |
| 85 mm Field Gun | D-44 Type 56 Field Gun | | 18 (?) | Operational status is unknown. Possibly there are more guns. | |
| 122 mm Field Gun | D-74 Type 60 | | (90/100?) | Operational status is unknown. The exact number of guns is unknown. | |
| Surface to Air Missiles | |||||
| Short-Range | Crotale NG | N/A | |||
| Medium-Range | MIM-23 Hawk | N/A | Albania was equipped with an unknown amount of batteries and missiles according to NATO standards. Albania owns Phase III | ||
| Multiple rocket launchers | |||||
| Multiple Rocket Launcher | Type 63 multiple rocket launcher | 270 | [40] | ||
| Anti aircraft artillery | |||||
| Self-propelled Anti-aircraft weapon | M163 VADS | N/A | [41] | ||
| Towed Anti-Aircraft Autocannon | ZU-23-2 | thumb|210px | N/A | ||
| Towed Anti-Aircraft Autocannon | ZPU Type-56 | 336 | Multiple Variants. Many were captured by rebels during the 1997 Albanian Civil War | ||
| Mortars | |||||
| N/A | [42] | ||||
| N/A | It has been introduced in service since 2017. Currently used by the Combat Support Battalion, b1K, b2K and b3K[43] | ||||
| 81mm Mortar | Hirtenberger M8 | N/A | It has been introduced in service since 2017. Currently used by the Combat Support Battalion[44] | ||
| | 550 | M120 Variant Supplied by USA[45] | |||
| Type | Model | Origin | Image | No. | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Main battle tank | |||||
| Tank | Type 59 tank | 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[46] | ||
| Tank | T-62 Type 69 tank | | N/A | The year of acquisition and the number of active tanks is unknown, but they appeared in the Kosovo War along with the Type 59 tanks https://youtube/2z3VAb5Zx2g?si=jXOtyDHR8tHGTqXm | |
| Infantry fighting vehicles | |||||
| | 17 | Albanian Armed Forces obtained 17 ex East German BMP-1s in 1995[47] | |||
| BMP-2 | 50 | ||||
| Armoured personnel carriers | |||||
| 250 | Intended to replace the BTR-50 APC | ||||
| BTR-50 Type 77 | | 350 | 200 BTR-50's and 150 Type 77's. | ||
| Light utility vehicles | |||||
| Utility vehicle | | ~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] [49] | ||
| Utility vehicle | ~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 | 250 | |||
| Liaison Bus | Otokar Navigo | N/A | |||
| Van | Ford Transit VI | | N/A | ||
| Light armored vehicles | |||||
| Infantry mobility vehicle | ~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.[50] In 2018, 3 new vehicles entered service, of which two were donations of the Italian Armed Forces.[51] | |||
| Iveco VM 90P | N/A | ||||
| 242 | 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.[52] 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. Another batch of 29 HMMWVs of various variants, including ambulances, was delivered on 25 February 2021.[53] | ||||
| MRAPs | |||||
| MRAP | 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 | 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. 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.[54] | ||
| Nexter Aravis | N/A | soldiers of various units tested the Aravis in 2012 but an unknown amount was bought.[55] | |||
| Nexter Titus | | 16 | 16 vehicles are currently trialed and to enter service soon. | ||
| Engineering vehicles | |||||
| Unmanned Remote-Controlled Mine-Clearing Vehicle | Bozena 5 | N/A | [56] | ||
| Armoured Recovery Vehicle | International MaxxPro MRV | 1 | 1 truck, delivered in February 2019 along with 46 MaxxPro Plus variants. | ||
| Trucks | |||||
| UAV ground control station Platform | Ford Cargo | | 3 | Used for carrying the Mobile GCS UAV ground control station paired to Bayraktar TB2 drones[57] | |
| Heavy Equipment Transporter | Tatra T813 | N/A | It was Seen transporting Tanks during the Kosovo war. | ||
| Mercedes | Mercedes-Benz NG | N/A | |||
| Mercedes | N/A | ||||
| N/A | Seen towing Howitzers During a military Parade in 2002. | ||||
| Liaison And Command Vehicle | Iveco acm 80 | ~200 | Command Variant seen multiple times, mainly in parades. | ||
| Isuzu | Isuzu type 73 heavy truck | N/A | |||
| Unmanned Ground Vehicles | |||||
| Unmanned Ground Vehicle | N/A | ||||
| Type | Model | Origin | Image | No. | Details | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Radars | ||||||
| Phased array Long-Range Radar System | AN/TPS-117 | 1 | , 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.[58] [59] | |||
| UAV ground control station | Mobile GCS |  | right|thumb|210px | 2 | After Bayraktar Drones TB2 received,[60] are installed in Kucova new Air Base with 2 UAV control station from Turkey[61] | |
| Sea maritime radar system | PRT-11PRT-13 PRT-14 QOV PRT-20 PRT-22 Monitors SVHD PRT-19 PRT-17 | 9[62] [63] | In 2014 Albania Signed a contract for 30 million $ with Lockheed Martin Company to repair and put working its Sea Maritime radar systems[64] and in 2020 signed another contract for 750,000$ with the same company for the maintanance of the system[65] | |||
| Anti-Drone System | Morpihus | 1(on order)[66] | February 2024, Minister of Defence declared that Albania is buying Anti-Drone systems [67] | |||
See main article: Former Albanian Air Force aircraft.
| Type | Origin | Image | No. | Details | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Transport Aircraft | ||||||
| VIP Transport Aircraft | | 1 | Used for Presidential Transport | |||
| Helicopters | ||||||
| Heavy lift helicopter | 0 (5 on order) | In the use of BFS[68] | ||||
| 1 | Used by the RENEA Counter-terrorism Police[69] | |||||
| Bell 212 | Utility helicopter | 1 | In the use of Emergency and Police of Renea | |||
| Utility helicopter | 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.[70] The types consist of 1 VIP, 1 SAR, 1 medical evacuation, and 2 troop transportation helicopters.[71] [72] 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.[73] [74] | ||||
| 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.[75] 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.[76] 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.[77] | |||||
| MBB Bo 105E-4 | 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. | ||||
| 7 | 3 received in 2004, with a further 4 ordered for delivery through 2006[78] | |||||
| 7 | ||||||
| AgustaWestland AW109C | 1 | Used for VIP transport | ||||
| AS350B | Utility helicopter | 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.[79] | |||
| 2 (4 more on order)https://sot.com.al/english/politike/flote-prej-6-helikopteresh-black-hawk-deri-ne-vitin-2030-peleshi-vizito-i635873 | In April 2019, the Minister of Defense Olta Xhaçka, stated that Albania is in talks for the acquisition of Black Hawk helicopters.[80] 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.[81] Two Black Hawks were delivered to Albania in January 2024.[82] | |||||
| Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) | ||||||
| 6 | In July 2020, Albania expressed interest in buying 6 RQ-20B Puma Block AE.[83] [84] The training and preparation began in early September 2021 and the UAVs are since then used by the b2K.[85] | |||||
| Bayraktar TB2 | UCAV | | 3 (6 on order)[86] | On 3 July 2021, Albania announced plans to acquire the Bayraktar TB2 UAV.[87] 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.[88] [89] 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.[90] [91] | ||
| Type | Origin | Image | Notes | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MAM | Laser-Guided Bomb | For Bayraktar TB2 Drones | |||
| Roketsan Cirit | AGM | For Bayraktar TB2 Drones | |||
| UMTAS | AGM | For Bayraktar TB2 Drones |
| Class | Type | Origin | Ship | Image | Details | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coastal patrol vessels | ||||||
| Patrol vessel | | 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.[92] All four vessels are armed with a remote-controlled 20mm Nexter M621 NARWHAL turret.[93] [94] | ||||
| Type 227 | 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. 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. | ||||
| Patrol & Training boat | R 125 R 126 R 127 R 128 R 224 R 227 R 228 | |||||
| 5000-class | 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. | ||||
| R 215 R 216 R 118 | Transferred from the US to the Albanian Coast Guard on February 27, 1999. | |||||
| PCC-class | 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. | ||||
| 5 boats | ||||||