The Albanian Air Force has finally revealed what its plans and projects for the near future are, and what the force will look like in the future. The articles are in Albanian unfortunately, but can be found on the Albanian MoD website, http://www.mod.gov.al.
Currently the AAF still operates the MiG-19s, MiG-15s and MiG-17s and CJ-6 trainers. The MiG-21s have been grounded this year and are planned to be withdrawn from service by 2006-2007. The same fate will be for the MiG-19s and MiG-15s. Only a small number of MiG-17 trainers (7 of them) will continue flying in the near future, providing training and flight hours for the existing pilots. Many of the CJ-6 trainers will also keep on flying. There are currently 4 An-2 tranpsorts on active duty and 8 more which are in reserve. These are to be grounded in the near future when a new transport becomes available. The Mi-4s were officially withdrawn in 2003, however 5 of them still fly regularly. These are to be grounded in the near future as well as new helicopters become available. The helicopter regiment at Farka now operates 7 AB-206s and 7 AB-205s as its main force. About a dozen more western helicopters and Mi-8 fly with various government and police agencies as well.
For the future, the AAF plans the acquistion of many more new western helicopters, a new transport type, as well as a new western fighter aircraft. According to Director of Protocol of the MoD, Colonel Artur Sheiko, the future plans for a fighter wing are several. New fighter aircraft are not planned to be purchased until 2010. So far, several offers have been made and are still on the table as options. According to the MoD, Turkey has offered 26 F-5 fighters for a 10 year lease at the relativly low cost of $100 per month per aircraft. The aircraft are to be upgraded by Turkey to the latest standards of Turkish F-5s (which have begun upgrading recently), however the upgrade costs for these Albanian F-5s are to be taken from military aid that Turkey gives Albania (so Albania will in a way be paying for their upgrade). The second option that the MoD has been offered is from Germany, which has offered Alpha Jet aircraft. No other details are known about this offer. Holland has also offered fighter jets, with no other details given. Currently, Albanian pilots are in training in Turkey. One pilot, Ndrec Llusku, has already become certified in the F-5 as well has undertaken introductory training flights on Turkish F-16s. However, the MoD has not specified which of these plans, if any, will be chosen in the future. Rumor has it that China has also made several offers to the Albanian defense minister during his recent visit to China.
On the transport aircraft side, the MoD has specified that it is working on a deal with a European firm for 3 medium transport aircraft of the class of the G-222.
Regarding the helicopter regiment, the MoD has specified that it is planning to purchase 12 more new transport helicopters of the type AB-212. Furthermore, several helicopters specialized in SAR operations are planned to be purchased. According to the MoD, the helicopters into which it is looking at are the AB-412, AB-212, AS-532 and the NH-90. No decision has been made specifically which type will be selected.
Furthermore, the MoD has specified that after 2006 attack helicopters will enter service with the AAF. It has not specified what type of attack helicopter will be purchased, but it is rumored to be TOW-armed MD-500s. Albanian pilots are undergoing training in Italy on this type.
Furthermore, a Turkish and German firm are currently undergoing an upgrade and modernization of the aircraft factory at Kucova with the installation of a Bell helicopter line to produce parts for Bell helicopters both for Albanian needs and for other markets. Turkey is also currently undertaking the modernization of the Zadrima AFB to bring it up fully to NATO standards.
A contract has also recently been signed with Locheed-Martin for the building of a new air-control system of radars and control centers in Albania and integrate these with NATO systems.
As far as air defence, the AAF has specified the need for a new AAA to replace the 37mm, as well as a new SAM system to replace the Sa-2s…all of which will continue to be in use for several more years until a replacement is found.
Some of this information, and others, can be found at the official web page of the AAF, http://www.air.mil.al/ (website is still being build)
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April 6, 2005 at 7:42 am