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 Organisation (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 programme

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 on September 2011, the third ship, Lisus P-133, will be operational in 2012 and fourth Butrint P-134 in 2013.[14][15][16]

Personal equipment

Weapon	Caliber / Type	Origin	Silhouette	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]
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.
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 alongside 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	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.[17] Some of the MP5s were produced in Turkey under license from MKEK and were donated to AAF in December 2013.[18]
Assault rifles, battle rifles and carbines
AK-47 Type 56 ASH-78	7.62×39mm	Soviet Union  China  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 Forces. Since 2013 being phased out in favour of the Beretta AR70/90 and Colt M4A1.
ASh-82	7.62×39mm	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.[17]
Beretta AR70/90	5.56×45mm	Italy		The Italian government decided to donate about 5000 AR70/90 at the end of 2016.[19] 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.[20]
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 optic and holographic sights, 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][17]
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.[17]
Sniper rifles
Dragunov SVD	7.62×54mmR	Soviet Union		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][17]
Sako TRG-22 Sako TRG-42	7.62×51mm .300WM	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][17]
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.
Machine guns
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][17]
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 GPMG weapon by 2nd Infantry Battalion (B2K) and special forces (BFS and Commandos).[6][17]
RPD	7.62×39mm	Soviet Union
RPK ASh-78 Tip-2	7.62×39mm	Soviet Union  Albania
Shotguns
Benelli M4 Super 90	12-gauge	Italy		Adopted since 2015 as standard shotgun, mostly used by Military Police and special forces. Is a Semi-automatic shotgun that has a capacity of twelve rounds and a maximum effective range of 140 m for solid shot and 40 m for buckshot.
Grenades and grenade launchers
RGD-5		Soviet Union		Hand grenade used by Albanian Land Force since 1970. Being withdrawn from service.
M203	40×46mm	United States		Grenade launcher used on Colt M4A1.[6]
GLX160	40×46mm	Italy		Grenade launcher used on Beretta ARX160[17]
Mortars
Hirtenberger M6	60 mm	Austria		It has been introduced in service since 2017. Currently used by the Combat Support Battalion, b1K, b2K and b3K[21]
Hirtenberger M8	81 mm	Austria		It has been introduced in service since 2017. Currently used by the Combat Support Battalion[22]
Miscellaneous
AN/PSV-18 (MNVD)		United States		[17]
AN/PSV-15 (NVB)		United States		[17]
MED-ENG EOD 9	Bomb suit	Canada

Vehicles

Model	Type	Origin	Image	No.	Details
Light utility vehicles
Land Rover Defender	Utility vehicle	United Kingdom  Turkey		~150	The Defender's 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 on 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.[23][18][24]
Mercedes-Benz G-Class	Utility vehicle	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, alongside 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.
Iveco VM 90 Torperdo	Utility vehicle	Italy		N/A
Light armored vehicles and MRAPs
Iveco LMV	Armoured fighting vehicle	Italy		~10	The LMV was considered as evaluation purpose as the standard armored vehicle for the Albanian Armed Forces. The first four were purchased in October 2015 for the Military Police.[25] In 2018, 3 new vehicles entered service, of which two were donations of the Italian Armed Forces.[26]
Iveco VM 90P	Armoured fighting vehicle	Italy		N/A
HMMWV M1114	Armoured fighting vehicle	United States		77	In 25 November 2015, the Minister of Defence announced in the Committee on National Security that AAF would be supplied with about 250 armored vehicles (divided into 3 tranches) acquired from the Excess Defense Articles programme, part of the DSCA, in a short term period.[27] 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 AFV of the Albanian Land Force.[12]
International MaxxPro Plus	MRAP	United States		39	The MaxxPro has been used by BFS since 2012 in its ISAF mission in Afghanistan. Probably they were acquired under a leasing contract with US Army. In March 2017, 3 MaxxPro's 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.[28]
Infantry fighting vehicle and armored personnel carriers
M113	APC	United States		N/A
BMP-1	IFV	Soviet Union  East Germany		17	Albanian Armed Forces obtained 17 ex East German BMP-1s in 1995[29]
Trucks and transport vehicles
Otokar Navigo	Liaison	Turkey		N/A
Ford Transit VI	Liaison	Germany  Turkey		N/A	[23][18]
Mercedes-Benz Actros	Liaison	Germany		N/A	[23][18]
International MaxxPro MRV	Recovery Truck	United States		1	1 truck, delivered in February 2019 alongside with 46 MaxxPro Plus variants.

Aircraft

Aircraft	Type	Origin	Image	No.	Details
Helicopters
Eurocopter AS532 Cougar	Utility helicopter	France		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.[30] The types consist of 1 VIP, 1 SAR, 1 MEDEVAC, and 2 troop transportation helicopters.[31][32] 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.[33][34]
Eurocopter EC145	Utility helicopter	France		2	Initially, the MoD 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.[35] 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.[36] On April 6, 2016, one of the two EC145M SAR helicopters of the Albanian Air Force crashed into Shkodër Lake, where two pilots were killed during a training operation.[37]
Agusta-Bell 205A	Utility helicopter	Italy		5
Mi-8	Utility helicopter	Russia		1
Agusta-Bell 206C	Utility helicopter	Italy		5
AgustaWestland AW109C	Utility helicopter	Italy		1
MBB Bo 105E-4	Utility helicopter	Germany		8	8 German Army Bo 105P upgraded and overhauled for a 10 million euro contract and donated to Albania. The first batch was delivered in 2006.
Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk	Utility helicopter	United States		3	In April 2019, the Minister of Defense Olta Xhaçka, stated that Albania is in talks for the acquisition of Black Hawk helicopters.[38] Helicopters are part of the US aid package being given to Albania.[39] The number is still unclear but it is said that it is about 3 of them.

Watercraft

Albanian Coast Guard

Class	Type	Origin	Ship	Image	Details
Coastal patrol vessels
Damen Stan 4207		Netherlands  Albania	Iliria P 131 Oriku P 132 Lisus P 133 Butrinti P 134		Displacement 200t
Sea Spectre Mk III		United States	R 215 R 216 R 118
Patrol Craft, Coastal		United States	R 117 R 217		45' PCC Class
Super Speranza		Italy	R ??? R 123 R 124 R 225 R 226
RB-M		United States	5 boats
Classe 2000		Italy	R 125 R 126 R 127 R 128 R 224 R 227 R 228

Albanian Navy

Class	Type	Origin	Ship	Image	Details
Submarine chasers
Kronshtadt		Soviet Union	P 207 P 208		Retired
Minesweepers
T43		Soviet Union	M 111 M ???		Retired
Anti-pollution vessels
Siman C 1297		Italy	Rodoni Y 31 Karaburuni Y 32		[40]

References

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3. "Small Arms and Light Weapons Project in Albania". NSPA. www.nspa.nato.int. Archived from the original on 2017-08-30. Retrieved 2017-08-30.
4. H&K in Albania (in Albanian). Pellumb Nili Youtube Channel.
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7. "Albania Army Bids Farewell to Kalashnikovs". Balkan Insight. 2014-07-17. Retrieved 2020-07-25.
8. "Hapa të tjerë drejt modernizmit" (PDF). Gazeta Ushtria. 6 November 2015.
9. "FA merr dy helikopterë të rinj dhe katër mjete të blinduara". Gazeta Dita. Retrieved 2020-07-25.
10. "Italy to Transfer Beretta AR70/90s to Albania -". The Firearm Blog. 2017-10-16. Retrieved 2020-07-25.
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17. Open Day on the occasion of the 104th anniversary of the Armed Forces (in Albanian). Ministry of Defence Youtube Channel.
18. The delivery ceremony of $ 3milions donation by Turkish government (in Albanian). Ministry of Defence Youtube Channel.
19. moti. "Nënshkruhet marrëveshja teknike për dhurimin e 5000 armëve "Beretta" ndërmjet Ministrisë së Mbrojtjes së Republikës së Italisë dhe Ministrisë së Mbrojtjes së RSH". aaf.mil.al (in Albanian). Archived from the original on 2018-07-03. Retrieved 2018-07-03.
20. Bozinovski, Igor (4 October 2017). "Italy to gift rifles to Albania". IHS Jane's 360. Archived from the original on 4 October 2017. Retrieved 4 October 2017.
21. "New mortars introduced". Gazeta Tema. Retrieved 24 January 2018.
22. "New mortars introduced". Gazeta Tema. Retrieved 24 January 2018.
23. "Turkey donates $ 3milions in aid to AAF". www.mod.gov.al (in Albanian). Ministry of Defense. 21 December 2013. Archived from the original on 2017-09-01. Retrieved 2017-09-01.
24. The delivery ceremony of 27 LR Defenders donation by Turkish government (in Albanian). Ministry of Defence Youtube Channel. 3 June 2015.
25. "The delivery ceremony of two EC-145 helicopters in the SAR configuration as well as four Iveco LMV armored vehicles for the Military Police". www.mod.gov.al (in Albanian). Ministry of Defense. 31 October 2015. Archived from the original on 2017-08-13. Retrieved 2017-09-01.
26. Bozinovski, Igor (4 October 2017). "Italy to gift rifles to Albania". IHS Jane's 360. Archived from the original on 4 October 2017. Retrieved 4 October 2017.
27. Minister of Defense at the Committee on National Security (in Albanian). Ministry of Defence Youtube Channel.
28. "SHBA, 37 mjete të blinduara për FA. Moses-Ones: Shqipëria, lider në rajon". top-channel.tv. Retrieved 2019-04-04.
29. "Albanian BMP-1". Tank Encyclopedia. Archived from the original on 2017-08-08. Retrieved 7 August 2017.
30. "Nënshkruhet kontrata për blerjen e pesë helikopterëve". ARKIVI MM. Retrieved 2019-04-23.
31. Support, Web. "Arrival ceremony of the new Cougar helicopter for the Air Force, version "MEDEVAC"". Ministry of Defence. Retrieved 2019-04-23.
32. "The fourth Cougar AS532 AL helicopter arrives".
33. "Helicopter Crash in French Alps Kills 6 Eurocopter Employees". NYCAviation. 2012-07-25. Retrieved 2019-04-23.
34. "Ndryshon kontrata e blerjes së helikopterëve". Shekulli (in Albanian). 2013-12-20. Retrieved 2019-04-23.
35. "LIGJ Nr.10 446, datë 14.7.2011 PËR MIRATIMIN E KONTRATËS PËR FURNIZIMIN ME 1 HELIKOPTER EC 145 VIP". Qëndra e Botimeve Zyrtare. 3 August 2011. p. 21.
36. ""Eurocopter", Kuvendi miraton kontratën shtesë". Gazeta Shqip (in Albanian). Retrieved 2019-04-26.
37. "Albania to Probe Military Helicopter Crash". Balkan Insight. 2016-04-07. Retrieved 2019-04-26.
38. "Albania to receive surplus US Black Hawks | Jane's 360". www.janes.com. Retrieved 2019-04-19.
39. Gegvataj, Almarina (2019-04-19). "Xhaçka sërish në Pentagon brenda një viti, Shqipëria vlerësohet si aleat model - ATSH -". Agjencia Telegrafike Shqiptare. Retrieved 2019-04-19.
40. "Anija antindotje "Rodoni", Y-31, rivihet në gatishmëri të plotë operacionale". Albanian Armed Forces. 20 January 2015.

External links

• Ministry of Defense (MoD)
• Albanian Armed Forces (AAF)