The first steps The Albanian Air Force was firstly created in 1918. An initial order was placed with Austria by the Albanian Government of that time for 3 Lohner
aircraft with a view to create the Albanian Air Corps. But because of the WW1 (First World War) the aircrafts were taken back by the Austrians. Albania did not have a proper Air Force till the 7 of August 1946. However, the lack of operational aircrafts meant that the official date of
creation was 24th of April 1951.
With the end of the WW2 (Second World War) an Air Force was created with the help of the Soviet Union that at the time had close relationships with Albania The break up with the Soviet Union lead to a gradual switch to Chinese made equipment. The fall of the Communist regime in 1990 made several changes in the Air Force. The force was reorganised, reduced in number and increased effectiveness. The Air Force took no part in the 1999 Kosovo War because Albania is not a member of NATO. However, the Air Force gave support to the Albanian Army based in the borders with Kosovo.
Aircraft Data
|
Mikoyan MiG-23 "Flogger" |
4+ |
|
Germany (East German Air Force aircraft) |
|
France |
|||
|
2 |
VIP/Transport |
Italy |
|
|
AB 205 |
7 |
Trasport |
Italy |
Aircrafts
MiG-21/F-7A
"Fishbed"
The MiG-21 "Fishbed" is also a Cold war era aircraft which served for many years with the ex Soviet Air Force and its allies. It was built under license in other countries as well. One of the biggest was China which named it the F-7 "Fishbed".
For more information click here.
MiG-19S "Farmer"
The MiG-19S "Farmer" it is the latter version on the MiG-19A.
The Albanian machines came from Chinese sources and it was named F-6 "Farmer".
For more information click here.
The MiG-17 "Fresco C"
is basically a much modified MiG-15 "Fagot". It was a better fighter in many aspects. It had a greater speed, greater fuel capacity, improved weapons capacibility, greater range. What it made the MiG-17 "Fresco" look different was the body. The fuselage was thinner giving a greater speed. For more
information click here.
MiG-15 "Fagot"
The MiG-15 "Fagot" was the first jet powered fighter-bomber to enter service in the Albanian Air Force.
It was the standard front line fighter as late as 1960. The MiG-15UTI "Midget" was also the first jet powered trainer which provided advanced training to the pilots. The MiG-15 "Fagot" is one of the most respected fighters in the world as it proved itself a very efficient fighter during the Korean War. For more information click here.
Il-28 "Beagle"
The Il-28 "Beagle" is the sole bomber in service in the Albanian Air Force. There are reports that it 
is not in operational duties. The Il-28 "Beagle" has done as much as the
British "Canberra" has done for the West. For more information click here.
Il-14 "Crate"
Approximately 3,600 Il-14 Crates were produced for both military and civilian
use. The Crate has been widely exported to other countries. The wings are
low-mounted and have straight leading edges and forward-tapered trailing edges
with blunt tips. Two piston engines are mounted in and extending beyond the
wings’ leading edges. The fuselage is long,
cigar-shaped, and tapered to the rear section, featuring a rounded, solid nose
and stepped cockpit. The tail flats are mid-mounted on the body and back-tapered
with rounded tips. The large fin is tapered, with a square tip and a small
fairing in the leading edge. For more information click here
An-2 "Colt"
Despite the age, the aircraft still plays a major role in transport duties. 
These
planes are based at Rinas AFB in their new hangar built by the Air Force. For
more information click here.
The present ensign is the one shown in the picture
on the right of your screen. The main marking is displayed on the
fuselage sides for helicopters and trainers and on the fin for frontline
aircraft combat aircrafts. Markings are also displayed in the wings for the
majority of the aircrafts
Missiles and other Armament
| China |
? |
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|
? |
|||||
| SAM 2 |
Guideline |
China |
Mach 4.5 |
Ground Command |
Carried by mobile launch platforms (Surface-to-Air) |
|
HN-5 |
Grail |
China |
580 m/s |
Passive IR homing device (operating in the medium IR range) |
Man crew operated (Hand held) |
The main Air Force bases are:-
The headquarters of the Air Force are in Tirana in the Albanian Ministry of Defence. The highest rank in the Air Force is General and is appointed by the supreme commander of the AAF (Albanian Armed Forces), the President. The commander of the Air Force administers and commands the Air Force. The Air Force Academy is located in Vlore (Valona) where 4 year courses are held. The graduates are then transferred to the Air Force where they serve till the age of 45 as acting pilots. Then they either retire or continue and become Instructor Pilots (IPs).
Looking in the future
Albania had her own Air Force composed by Russian and Chinese made fighter planes such as the famous MiG-15 "Fagot". Other types of planes followed including MiG-15 "Midget" MiG-17 "Fresco C", MiG-19 "Farmer, F-5 "Fresco", F-6 "Farmer", F-7A "Fishbed C" etc. The Air Force plans to get new aircrafts in the next 2 years or so and in 10 years the Albanian Air Force will have a completely different face. The Albanian Government has decided to make a smaller, more efficient Air Force. The words of the Commander of the Albanian Armed Forces (AAF) Major General Pellumb Qazimi were : - "We do not expect an attack from Italy or neighbouring countries. The current aircrafts are old and have a high maintenance cost". The Air Force will be mainly used for air transport duties in support of the Army and Navy forces. It will also have a squadron for the Air Defence role.
The current strength of the Albanian Air Force in terms of manpower is 3572.
In
10 years time this number will be nearly halved in a total number of 1600. This
reforms are a part in the Government's new plans for the Albanian Armed Forces.
The reforms will not only affect the Air Force but the Army and Navy Forces as
well. The Army will be decreased in number and it will be better equipped. It
will take the form of a small commando style army. The Albanian Navy will also
be reviewed. The Naval Force is vital for a country such as Albania because of
its geographical position in the region.
Organisation
The Albanian Air Force is organised into aviation regiments and each regiment is composed of three or more squadrons (skuadrilje). Each squadron got between 15-20 planes. The latest figures in manpower are:-
Commissioned Officers - 609
Non commissioned Officers
(NCOs) - 615
Soldiers - 511
Soldiers in reserve - 1581
Civilians - 256
TOTAL - 3572
Organisation of the Air Force
Ranks in the Albanian Air Force
| General of the Albanian Air Force |
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| Lieutenant General |
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| Major General |
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| Brigade General |
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| Colonel |
|
| Sub Colonel |
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| Major |
|
| Captain |
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| Lieutenant |
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| Sub Lieutenant |
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| Sergeant |
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| Corporal |
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| Private |
|
Related links
Albanian
Air Force @ aeroflight.co.uk
This site provides very good information
about the Albanian Air Force
Albanian
Ministry of Defence
The official Albanian Air Force web site
International
Air Force directory
It provides general information about the
Albanian Air Force
Insignia
magazine
Information about the insignia and other general information
about the Albanian Air Force
Hellenic
Resources Network
General information about the Albanian Air Force
Click
here for the Albanian Air Force Picture Gallery
©Albanian Pilot Online 2002
Site created and maintained by Andi Cela
