List of Albanian Air Force aircraft

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Albanian military aircraft include all airplanes and helicopters which have been operated by the Albanian Air Force since its formal inception in 1947. Since Albania has no domestic aircraft manufacturing capacity, all aircraft have been procured from other countries. Additionally, the country's limited resources have meant that such procurement has been primarily through foreign military aid provided to Albania for strategic reasons. Initially, the Warsaw Pact provided equipment through the 1950s, but after a political rift, China supplanted them as the country's main benefactor. After the end of the Cold War and a significant shift in Albanian international relations, as well as a re-posturing of the Albanian Armed Forces, the air force has sought more modern support helicopters from Western Europe to support its new role in partnership with NATO.

## Fighters

[edit]

In concert with the Albanian Air Force's primary mission for most of its existence to defend the country's airspace, approximately two of every three aircraft which have served with the force have been fighters.

### Yakovlev Yak-9

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The first aircraft to actually arrive for service with the Albanian Air Force were a dozen Yakovlev Yak-9 piston-engine fighters provided by the Soviet Union from stockpiles of World War II equipment. Among the twelve was included a single two-seat operational conversion trainer variant. The aircraft were not competitive with NATO jet fighters that had entered service in Europe by the time the Yak-9 went into service in Albania in 1951. However, they were intended only as a stop-gap to allow the force to develop its organization and skills prior to the provision of its own jet fighter force. Very rapidly after the arrival of jets, the Yak-9 was withdrawn from service in 1956 and its unit converted to the MiG-15.

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Yak-9 | 11 delivered in 1951
Yak-9V | 1 delivered in 1951

### Yakovlev Yak-23

[edit]

Albania Air Forces never received or used the Yak-23[1] probably[clarification needed] from Poland.[2] However, their service is unknown.

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Yak-23 | Unknown delivered in 1951

### Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-15

[edit]

MiG-15bis and UTI aircraft lined up at Kucova Air Base

The first jet fighter planes equipped by the Albanian Air Force were the Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-15. The Soviet Union provided the MiG-15bis, an improved version of the basic MiG-15 fighter plane that had gained fame in the Korean War. Deliveries began on January 31, 1955. They replaced the Yak-9s that had been in service until then, and helped expand the country's air defense capabilities. Eventually, 26 aircraft were deployed, including additional ones. Three F-2s (J-2s) of the same type were delivered by China afterwards, but China did not actually produce the fighter version, and they were the MiG-15bis used in the Korean War. In addition to the single-seater aircraft, a two-seater trainer version, the MiG-15UTI, was delivered. These included the Soviet-built, Czechoslovakian licence-built CS.102 and Chinese-built FT-2, four of each, for a total of 12 aircraft. A total of 29 MiG-15bis were delivered, and 12 UTI trainers. Although it quickly fell out of service, the relatively simple design saw heavy use by Albania for a time, with several single- and two-seater versions reportedly still in service as late as 2000.

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MiG-15bis | single-seat fighter
MiG-15UTI

* * *

FT-2

* * *

CS.102 | two-seat advanced trainer

### Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-19 and Shenyang J-6

[edit]

J-6 at Kucove

While the MiG-15 had introduced the Albanian military into the jet age, it was rapidly apparent that an upgrade would be necessary to give the country a defense against the next generation of NATO aircraft. The MiG-15 did not carry missiles, and so at the end of the 1950s, the Soviet Union delivered a dozen Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-19PM. These fighters, armed only with air-to-air missiles, complemented the gun-armed MiG-15 in the air defense role. The aircraft number is not fixed and can be confirmed as 50, 52, 56, 58, 62, 64, 358, 362, 370.[3]

After splitting with the Soviet supply chain, the MiG-19PM airframes were traded to China for shipments of Shenyang J-6 aircraft under the export designation F-6C. These aircraft carried both guns and missiles while being somewhat less sophisticated, yet offering the same basic performance as the original MiG-19PM. Nearly 77 of these aircraft were delivered, with some remaining until the very end of the air force's fighter operations in 2005. No FT-6 two-seat operational conversion trainers were ever delivered to Albania.

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MiG-19PM | single-seat fighter
F-6 | single-seat fighter
FT-6 | two-seat operational conversion trainer(But not deployed)

### Shenyang F-5

[edit]

J-5 at Kucove

Having severed ties with the Soviet Union, Albania turned to China for assistance in building up its military. The Soviets had already delivered several MiG-19 interceptors, and China would later deliver a number of J-6s derived from the MiG-19, but as a more immediate solution, Beijing offered the Shenyang J-5, a variant of the subsonic Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-17. The Soviets had never delivered any MiG-17s to Albania, and they were slower and less armament than the MiG-19PMs already in service. However, with the Albanian government at odds with NATO, the Warsaw Pact, and most directly with neighbouring Yugoslavia, deliveries of the J-5, with export designation "F-5", came relatively quickly from 1962. The aircraft was a significant upgrade, faster and more armament-rich than the MiG-15 and F-2 aircraft that equipped most Albanian forces at the time. The aircraft delivered were supplemented by a two-seater conversion trainer designated the FT-5. 23 F-5 single-seaters and eight FT-5 two-seaters served in Albania, but their limited speed meant they were not effective in air patrol missions against the invading Yugoslavia. Nevertheless, the F-5 remained the mainstay of Albanian regiments for several decades, the last of which was withdrawn in 2005 when Albania ceased all fighter operations.

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F-5 | single-seat fighter
FT-5 | two-seat operational conversion trainer

### Chengdu F-7

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F-7A at Tirana

1970 saw delivery of the most advanced combat aircraft to ever enter service with the Albanian Air Force. The Chengdu F-7A is the export version of China's indigenous development of the Soviet-designed Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21. While one of the earliest versions of this Chinese fighter, it still represented a major upgrade over the numerous F-5 and F-6 fighters equipping Albanian regiments. Locally called the MiG-21F even though they were completely Chinese-built and supplied, the F-7A provided the Albanians with their only Mach 2 capable aircraft. Only twelve aircraft were delivered, and they equipped a single squadron of the Albanian Air Force. Initially deployed to Rinas Air Base with Aviation Regiment 7594. In 1976 the squadron moved to Gjadër Air Base as the 1st Squadron of Aviation Regiment 5646 (later re-designated Aviation Regiment 4010). After the base's deactivation in 2000, the aircraft were stored until 2002. Two surviving examples were moved back to Rinas and assigned to the 2nd Squadron of Aviation Regiment 4020, though it is unclear whether they were actually flown before they were officially retired in 2004. During the aircraft's operational career, two aircraft were lost to accidents (one in 1974 and one in 1982).[4]

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F-7A | single-seat fighter

### MiG-21bis

[edit]

In 2002, Albania initiated negotiations with Ukraine to purchase 12 ex-MiG-21bis Fishbed L fighter interceptors, which would have given it only its second radar-equipped fighter fleet since the MiG-19PM, but none were ever delivered (see references).

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MiG-21bis | single-seat fighter

## Other fixed-wing aircraft

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While the vast majority of fixed-wing aircraft in the Albanian Air Force have been fighters, a small selection of other aircraft have been employed for transport, training, and other uses. The small size of the country and its defensive posture limited the need for military airlift, with most transport tasks being within the scope of the country's helicopter fleet. While Albania did maintain a meaningful number of training aircraft, these were withdrawn as the fighter force was mothballed, and other fixed-wing operations were reduced. 2011 saw the final fixed-wing operations with the withdrawal of the final transport and training aircraft from service.

### Polikarpov Po-2

[edit]

Along with the initial delivery of Yak-9 fighters, the Soviet Union provided four Polikarpov Po-2 utility biplanes to the country. Capable of a variety of utility roles, the pre-World War II design was primarily used for aerial application in support of restoring the country's agricultural capability after the war. These simple but rugged biplanes were used for several years, with the final withdrawal happening in 1964 after the introduction into service of the An-2.

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Po-2 | two-seat utility biplane, primarily used for crop-spraying

### Yakovlev Yak-11 and Yak-18

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The third component of early Soviet-supplied equipment for the Albanian Air Force consisted of the standard tandem-seat advanced and primary trainers. Four Yakovlev Yak-11 advanced trainers and four Yakovlev Yak-18 primary trainers were delivered in 1952 to establish Albania's air academy flying program. While these aircraft were a good match with the Yak-9 fighters then in service, a more modern primary trainer was provided in the form of the Yak-18A which was equipped with tricycle gear as opposed to the original model's tail-dragging arrangement. 18 of the newer Yak-18A were supplied and equipped the air academy until most of these aircraft were traded in by 1963 in return for CJ-6 aircraft.

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Yak-11 | two-seat advanced trainer
Yak-18
Yak-18A | two-seat primary trainer

### Nanchang CJ-6

[edit]

CJ-6 at Kucove

As with fighters, the political shift from the Soviet Union to China led to the decision to re-equip the training fleet with the Chinese-built Nanchang CJ-6 basic trainer. Twenty of these aircraft, often reported under the designation PT-6 were delivered and they remained the primary trainer of the Albanian air academy through its retirement by the 2010s.

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CJ-6 | twin-engine basic trainer

### Ilyushin Il-14

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While the small size of Albania limits the requirements for fixed-wing airlift capacity, the country acquired an Ilyushin Il-14M in 1957 for general transport duties, including movement of government personnel. This example served for several years until joined by a second Il-14M, as well as an Il-14P built by VEB in East Germany and an Il-14T built by Avia in Czechoslovakia. The secretive nature of Albania during the Cold War has led to some uncertainty about these deliveries with as many as eight Il-14 aircraft reported to be in service. The four aforementioned aircraft were placed in storage in 1992 where they were attacked by rioters in 1997, putting them beyond repair. The aircraft were finally scrapped in 2002.

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Il-14 | twin-engine passenger and cargo transport

### Ilyushin Il-28

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H-5 at Tirana Airport

A single Ilyushin Il-28 bomber was delivered by the Soviet Union in 1957. This was traded to China for a single license-built Il-28, designated H-5, in 1971. While designed as a bomber, it is unclear what use Albania made of their solitary example. Reports have included reconnaissance and target towing, but the aircraft remained in service through 1992 when it was put into storage at Tirana Airport.

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Il-28 | light bomber delivered in 1957
H-5 | light bomber delivered in 1971

### Harbin Y-5

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Y-5 at Tirana Airport

The rugged and seemingly anachronistic Antonov An-2 biplane transport was a good match for Albania's limited need for transport, offering a simple and easy-to-maintain light transport. However, none were acquired from the Soviet Union during the period of Soviet support. Instead it would be 1963 before the first aircraft would be delivered by the Chinese as the Y-5, license-built at Harbin. Thirteen of the rugged biplanes would be acquired and would go on to be the last fixed-wing airplanes to serve in the Albanian Air Force with the last Y-5 retired in 2011.

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Y-5 | utility transport

## Helicopters

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Albania's small size, rugged terrain and limited infrastructure make the country prime territory for helicopters. Helicopter use by the air force began in 1957 and after the withdrawal of the last fixed-wing aircraft the branch became and remains an exclusively helicopter-equipped force. Initial helicopters were Soviet supplied, with additional examples provided by China, but as Albania began opening up at the Cold War, they began acquiring a variety of western types.

### Mil Mi-1

[edit]

Three Mil Mi-1 light utility helicopters, the first helicopter type to be serial-produced in the Soviet Union, were provided in 1957 to begin the Albanian Air Force's helicopter force. The light helicopters were primarily used for training and liaison and served into the 1960s.

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Mi-1 | liaison and training helicopter

### Mil Mi-4 and Harbin Z-5

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Z-5 at Farka Helicopter Base

In the Albanian Air Force, the full-fledged transport helicopters were seven Mi-4A Hound-A provided by the Soviet Union. Both had better transport capabilities than the existing Mi-1, so they were useful for transporting supplies and soldiers. After cutting ties with the Soviet Union in 1961, China switched to introducing the Z-5. In the end, 24 troop-transporting Z-5s and six VIP-transporting Z-5 salons were introduced, and they were used in a variety of ways. However, after severing diplomatic relations with China, successor aircraft were no longer introduced, so they had no choice but to make do with the outdated Z-5 and Mi-4. It was finally retired in 2005 after some aircraft were damaged during the 1997 riots. The troop transport type has a dark green body with small windows, while the VIP transport type is painted pale blue or white and has large windows.

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Mi-4 | utility transport helicopter

### Écureuil

[edit]

AS 350B at Tirana Lapraka Airfield

The first western type to enter service with Albania was the popular Aérospatiale AS.350B Écureuil, of which four were delivered in 1991. The Écureuil was also the first turbine-powered helicopter in service, operating as a light utility helicopter. 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.[5]

AS 532 at Tirana Airport Mi-17 at Farka Helicopter Base Bo 105 AB 205 in flight AB 206 at Farka Helicopter Base

## Summary

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(Table order: Fighters, Bombers, Transports, Trainers, Other, Helicopters) (Note: a " - " means the information is unknown, not yet added, or not applicable)

Military aircraft of Albania

Fighters
Designation | Total | In Service | Role/Info
F-7A | 12 | 1970-2005 | Fighter; all 10 survivors placed in storage in May 2005. Last flight in 2002
F-6C | 77 | 1962-2005 | Fighter;Before the severance of diplomatic relations with China, 77 aircraft were imported (Learn more).
F-5 | 23 | 1962-2005 | Fighter; All were delivered from China and operated as afterburner-equipped aircraft, similar to the F-6C.Both systems continued to operate even after the collapse of the communist regime (see reference).
MIG-19PM | 12 | 1959-1965 | Fighter; 12 delivered by the USSR in October 1959, sent to China in 1965 for Shenyang F-6C
MiG-15bis | 29 | 1955-2000 | Fighter; 26 delivered by the USSR in 1955, with further examples delivered by China in 1956; all survivors in storage for sale
Bombers
Designation | Total | In Service | Role/Info
B-5 | 1 | 1971-1992 | Light bomber; 1 received in 1971, stored in 1992
Il-28 | 1 | 1957-1971 | Light bomber; traded for a Harbin H-5 in 1971
Transports
Designation | Total | In Service | Role/Info
A319-100 | 1 | 2020- | This VIP transport aircraft was introduced in 2020 and is not equipped with any weapons(reference).
Av-14T | 1 | 1971-1992 | Transport; 1 Avia-built example acquired in 1971
VEB-14P | 1 | 1971-1992 | Transport; 1 VEB-built example acquired in 1971
Il-14M | 2 | 1957-1992 | Transport;Two Soviet-built aircraft were acquired (one in 1957 and one in 1971). All four surviving Il-14s were stored in 1992, damaged by rioters in 1997, and subsequently scrapped in 2002.
Y-5 'Colt' | 13 | 1963- | Liaison and communications; 4 remain in active service, 9 in storage
Trainers
Designation | Total | In Service | Role/Info
FT-5 | 8 | 1972-2005 | Fighter and operational trainer; 6 remain in service with one in storage
MiG-15UTI | 4 | 1955-2000 | Fighter and operational trainer; 4 delivered in 1955-1956
CS.102 | 4 | 1955-2000 | Fighter and operational trainer; 4 delivered in 1955-1956
FT-2 | 4 | 1955-2000 | Fighter and operational trainer; 4 delivered in 1955-1956
Nanchang BT-6 | 20 | 1962-2015 | Trainer; 4 in active service, with a further five planned for overhaul and return to service
Yak-18A | 18 | 1953-1962 | Trainer; delivered by the USSR in 1953 and 1959
Yak-18 | 4 | 1952-1962 | Trainer
Yak-11 | 4 | 1952-1963 | Trainer
Other
Designation | Total | In Service | Role/Info
TB2 | 6 | 2022- | UAV;To date, three have been purchased and are in operation, with the remaining three currently under acquisition.
RQ-20 Puma Block AE | 6 | 2020- | UAV;Implemented starting in 2020.
Yak-9P | 11 | 1951-1956 | Fighter; Albania's first fighter aircraft. It was subsequently replaced by the MiG-15bis.
Yak-9V | 1 | 1951-1956 | Trainer; One aircraft was introduced along with the Yak-9P, but was retired with the introduction of the MIG-15UTI.
Po-2 | 4 | 1951-1964 | It was purchased primarily for agricultural use, but was later converted to a general-purpose aircraft and has since been retired.
Albatros C.XV | 5 | (ord. 1922-1939) | Four L.47s and one L.47b were ordered and fitted out between 1922 and 1925. Two remained at the time of the dissolution of the state in 1939.
Helicopters
Designation | Total | In Service | Role/Info
UH-60A black hawk | 6 | 2024- | Transport helicopter.Six aircraft have been ordered, with the first two to be delivered in 2024(reference).
H145M | 3 | 2016- | Transport helicopter.
Bell AB.205A-1 | 7 | 2004- | Transport helicopter; 3 received in 2004, with a further 4 ordered for delivery through 2006[6]
AB.206C-1 | 7 | 2002- | Transport helicopter
SA-316C Alouette III | 4 | 1999- | Transport helicopter
Mi-8T | 1 | 1996- | Transport helicopter
Bell222UT | 1 | 1991- | Transport helicopter
AS.350B Ecureuil | 4 | 1986- | Transport helicopter; 1 crashed and 3 remain in active service
BO-105E-4 | 12 | 2007- | Light utility helicopter; 12 surplus German aircraft delivered in 2006
Z-5VIP | 4 | 1967-2003? | Transport helicopter; They were introduced from China between 1967 and 1971.
Z-5 | 24 | 1967-2003? | Transport helicopter; They were introduced from China between 1967 and 1971.
Mi-4A | 7 | 1957-2003? | Transport helicopter; 7 delivered by the USSR in 1957–1958; Chinese-produced Harbin Z-5 models also used
Mi-1A | 3 | 1957-1960 | Transport helicopter; served into the 1960s
An aircraft that only had a plan
Designation | schedule | In Publication year | Role/Info
MiG-21bis | 12 | 2002 | Fighter;Twelve aircraft were supposed to be transferred from the Ukrainian Air Force, but the transfer was canceled (reference).
FT-6 | 3? | 1972?-2002 | Fighter and operational trainer; An estimated three aircraft were introduced at the same time as the F-6C and operated until 2002, but there is no evidence to support this.
MiG-15 | 29? | 1955? | The initial MiG-15 was not introduced and was replaced by the improved MiG-15bis.
Yak-23 | 12? | 1955? | There are reports that it was deployed for a while, but it was not actually put into operation after the introduction of the MiG-15bis.
Yak-3 | 11 | 1951? | ;11(?) It was primarily used for training purposes, but was never deployed and was replaced by the Yak-9P.
Lohner L | 3 | 1914 | seaplene; 3 It was planned during World War I but was never implemented.
Lohner B.I Series 11 | 3 | 1914 | Reconnaissance/trainer; 3 Three aircraft were ordered in 1914, but the order was cancelled due to the collapse of the Principality of Albania before delivery.

## See also

[edit]

* Albanian Air Force
* List of air forces

## Notes

[edit]

1. ^ "samolotypolskie.pl - Jakowlew Jak-23". www.samolotypolskie.pl. Retrieved 2019-09-03.
2. ^ Placha, Karol. "Jakowlew Jak-23. Najstarszy pomnik lotniczy w Polsce. 2017r". www.polot.net (in Polish). Retrieved 2019-09-03.
3. ^ "Albanian MiG-19PM".
4. ^ Gordon, Yefim; Dexter, Keith. Mikoyan MiG-21.
5. ^ "Albania Air Force Aircraft Types - Eurocopter AS.350B Ecureuil". World Air Forces. Aeroflight.
6. ^ Das, Wim; Otten, Kees. "ALBANIAN AIRFORCE - Tirana's moving steps" (PDF). Retrieved 2008-12-26.

## References

[edit]

* Viroli, Elio Aviacioni Ushtarak Ahquipetare, Panorama Difesa magazine, June 1992, pag 38–44.

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Lists of aircraft

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