Top Story / Military capabilities, does Albania have the ability to defend in an attack ?!

But what is the condition of the Albanian army today, after 3 decades where governments have taken care of dismantling ammunition and extracting aviation, tanks and artillery as a whole…

These you see are not real fights. The Infantry Battalion of the Armed Forces conducted a 3-day exercise in the Vithkuq area during February 2022. Ironically, this exercise of a modest army like Albania took place just 1 week before the Russian aggression in Ukraine. The armored vehicles that participate in this exercise, are among the most important tools of the Albanian army today. Albania once owned over 200 fighter jets and today counts only a few helicopters. From the former fleet with 4 submarines, today Albania owns several small military ships that do not have significant operational combat capabilities.

Until 1990, Albania had 300 thousand armed forces together with the reservists. Today, the country does not reach even 10 thousand armed forces, who are underpaid. Meanwhile, compulsory military service has been lifted.

“We say defense, defense, and it reminds me of the old saying that we and the brotherly people of China are half the world. It is also the spirit. I grew up in the world of the armed forces. They are among the most mistreated sectors in the last 30 years. We can not remember them only the day when someone from the other side of Europe threatens us with World War “said the analyst, Ilir Kulla.

“I have not seen any preparation of the Albanian government and in particular of the Ministry of Defense seen from the point of view of the development and precipitation of the war. We are a NATO member country, but in addition to the obligations it has, Albania has obligations for the protection of its own Republic “said the former police officer, Shemsi Prençi.