List of Albanian Air Force aircraft

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

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

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 Very rapidly after the arrival of jets, the Yak-9 was withdrawn from service in 1956 and its unit converted to the MiG-15.

Version	Service notes
Yak-9	11 delivered in 1951
Yak-9V	1 delivered in 1951

Yakovlev Yak-23

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

Version	Service notes
Yak-23	Unknown delivered in 1951

Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-15

 

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

The Albanian Air Force gained a significant capability upgrade with the introduction of its first jet aircraft, the Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-15. The Soviet Union provided several of the MiG-15bis improved version of the basic MiG-15 fighter which had gained fame in the Korean War. Soviet deliveries in 1955 replaced the Yak-9 and begin expanding the country's air defense capability, while China stepped in with further examples later. In addition to the single-seaters, several two-seat MiG-15UTI training aircraft were delivered, including examples built in Czechoslovakia under the CS.102 designation. Chinese-supplied single-seaters were Soviet-built but often reported under the Chinese J-2 or F-2 designations, while Chinese-supplied two-seat FT-2 trainers were actually Chinese-built. Total numbers are difficult to ascertain, with reports of between fifty and eighty single-seat MiG-15 fighters having been acquired along with as much as half that many two-seat trainers. While the MiG-15 rapidly faded from being a front-line aircraft, the relatively simple design remained in service in quantity in Albania for some time, with a few of both one- and two-seat versions reported on strength as late as 2000.

Version	Service notes
MiG-15bis	single-seat fighter
MiG-15UTI FT-2	two-seat advanced trainer

Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-19 and Shenyang J-6

 

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-6. These aircraft carried both guns and missiles while being somewhat less sophisticated, yet offering the same basic performance as the original MiG-19PM. Nearly 80 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 deliverd to Albania.

Version	Service notes
MiG-19PM	single-seat fighter
F-6	single-seat fighter
FT-6	two-seat operational conversion trainer

Shenyang F-5

 

J-5 at Kucove

Having severed ties with the Soviet Union, Albania turned to China for support of its military build-up. While the Soviets had already delivered some MiG-19 interceptors and China would later deliver large numbers of the MiG-19 derived J-6, a more immediate solution was provided by Beijing in the form of the Shenyang J-5, derived from the subsonic Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-17. The Soviets had never provided the MiG-17 to Albania, and it was inferior to the already employed MiG-19PM in speed and armament. However, the Albanian government was finding itself at odds with NATO, the Warsaw Pact, and most immediately with its neighbor, Yugoslavia, so relatively rapid deliveries of the J-5 under its export designation F-5 were made beginning in 1962. The aircraft were a significant upgrade over the MiG-15 and F-2 aircraft that equipped most Albanian units at the time with better speed and armament. Approximately 20% of the delivered aircraft were two-seat operational conversion trainers designated FT-5. More than eighty F-5 single-seat and twenty FT-5 two-seat aircraft would enter Albanian service, but they did not fare well in air policing duties against Yugoslavian incursions due to their limited speed. Nevertheless, the F-5 would remain a staple of Albanian regiments for decades with the final examples being withdrawn with the cessation of all fighter operations by Albania in 2005.

Version	Service notes
F-5	single-seat fighter
FT-5	two-seat operational conversion trainer

Chengdu F-7

 

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]

Version	Service notes
F-7A	single-seat fighter

Other fixed-wing aircraft

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

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.

Version	Service notes
Po-2	two-seat utility biplane, primarily used for crop-spraying

Yakovlev Yak-11 and Yak-18

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.

Version	Service notes
Yak-11	two-seat advanced trainer
Yak-18 Yak-18A	two-seat primary trainer

Nanchang CJ-6

 

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.

Version 1	Service notes
CJ-6	twin-engine basic trainer

Ilyushin Il-14

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.

Version	Service notes
Il-14	twin-engine passenger and cargo transport

Ilyushin Il-28

 

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.

Version	Service notes
Il-28	light bomber delivered in 1957
H-5	light bomber delivered in 1971

Harbin Y-5

 

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.

Version	Service notes
Y-5	utility transport

Helicopters

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

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.

Version	Service notes
Mi-1	liaison and training helicopter

Mil Mi-4 and Harbin Z-5

 

Z-5 at Farka Helicopter Base

Version	Service notes
Mi-4	utility transport helicopter

Écureuil

 

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

(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
Chengdu F-7A	12	1979-2005	Fighter; all 10 survivors placed in storage in May 2005. Last flight in 2002
Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-15bis	50+	1955-2000	Fighter; 26 delivered by the USSR in 1955, with further examples delivered by China in 1956; all survivors in storage for sale
Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-19PM	12	1959-1965	Fighter; 12 delivered by the USSR in October 1959, sent to China in 1965 for Shenyang F-6
Shenyang F-5	80+	1962-2005	Fighter
Shenyang FT-5	20	1972-2005	Fighter; 6 remain in service with one in storage
Shenyang F-6/FT-6	75+	1962-2005	Fighter; more than 70 delivered, including a few FT-6 two-seat trainers (which were retired in 2002)
Yakovlev Yak-9P/V	12	1951-1956	Fighter; includes one Yak-9V trainer; withdrawn upon the introduction of jet fighters
Bombers
Designation	Total	In Service	Role/Info
Ilyushin Il-28	1	1957-1971	Light bomber; traded for a Harbin H-5 in 1971
Harbin H-5	1	1971-1992	Light bomber; 1 received in 1971, stored in 1992
Transports
Designation	Total	In Service	Role/Info
Harbin Y-5 'Colt'	13	1963-	Liaison and communications; 4 remain in active service, 9 in storage
Ilyushin Il-14M	2	1957-1992	Transport; 2 Soviet-built examples acquired (1 in 1957, 1 in 1971), although some sources report as many as 8 having entered service; all 4 surviving Il-14s were stored in 1992, damaged by rioters in 1997, and subsequently scrapped in 2002
Ilyushin Il-14P	1	1971-1992	Transport; 1 VEB-built example acquired in 1971 (reports of a second example unverified)
Ilyushin Il-14T	1	1971-1992	Transport; 1 Avia-built example acquired in 1971
Trainers
Designation	Total	In Service	Role/Info
Nanchang CJ-6	20	1962-	Trainer; 4 in active service, with a further five planned for overhaul and return to service
Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-15UTI	12	1955-2000	Fighter and operational trainer; 12 delivered (4 USSR-built MiG-15UTI, 4 Czech-built CS.102, 4 Chinese-supplied FT-2) in 1955-1956
Yakovlev Yak-11	4	1952-1963	Trainer
Yakovlev Yak-18	4	1952-1962	Trainer
Yakovlev Yak-18A	18	1953-1962	Trainer; delivered by the USSR in 1953 and 1959
Other
Designation	Total	In Service	Role/Info
Lohner Type H	0	(ord. 1914)	Flying boat; 3 were ordered in 1914 as the first aircraft for Albania's planned air corps, but the aircraft were never delivered.
Polikarpov Po-2	4	1951-1964	Obsolete fighter supplied by USSR for crop-spraying
Helicopters
Designation	Total	In Service	Role/Info
Aerospatiale SA-316C Alouette III	4	1999-	Transport helicopter
Agusta-Bell AB.205A-1	(7)	2004-	Transport helicopter; 3 received in 2004, with a further 4 ordered for delivery through 2006^[6]
Agusta-Bell AB.206C-1	7	2002-	Transport helicopter
Bell 222UT	1	1991-	Transport helicopter
Eurocopter AS.350 Ecureuil	4	1986-	Transport helicopter; 1 crashed and 3 remain in active service
Eurocopter BO-105	(12)	(est. 2007)	Light utility helicopter; 12 surplus German aircraft delivered in 2006
Harbin Z-5	37	1967-2003?	Transport helicopter; acquired from 1967 to 1971, mostly copies of the Mi-4A, but including six Mi-4S VIP models; 3 remain in reserve.
Mil Mi-1	3	1957-1960	Transport helicopter; served into the 1960s
Mil Mi-4A	7	1957-2003?	Transport helicopter; 7 delivered by the USSR in 1957–1958; Chinese-produced Harbin Z-5 models also used
Mil Mi-8T	1	1996-	Transport helicopter

See also

• Albanian Air Force
• List of air forces

Notes

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. http://www.easternorbat.com/html/albanian_mig-19pm_eng.html
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

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