Albanian Naval Defense Forces
Encyclopedia
The Albanian Naval Defense Forces are the naval branch of the Albanian military.
Their name was changed from the Coastal Defense Command of the Albanian Army in 1996. With the new structure the naval forces are regrouped in the Albanian Navy Brigade under the Albanian Joint Forces Command
. The Albanian Navy Brigade Headquarters is located in Durrës
, and operates 2 bases. One in Durrës (Kepi i Palit base) and one in Vlora, Pashaliman base. The vessels of the Albanian Navy Brigade are mostly patrol craft and support craft, most of which were donated by Italy
and the USA. Former Soviet or Chinese
boats have been retired from service. Only 4 Soviet built minesweepers
remain still in service, pending the arrival of 4 large Damen Stan Type 4207 patrol boat
s from the Netherlands
.
The Navy performs mainly duties, based on the concept of "one Force, two Missions". The legal framework has been updated in order to facilitate these missions and EU - NATO integration. Turkey
and Greece
are also assisting Albania in a common effort to modernize the current Naval Academy and rebuild the repair facilities in Pashaliman district. The Navy is also responsible for aids to navigation, including lighthouse
s.
s
2 x Shanghai II
1 x Kronshtadt
)
1x Project 522 (Nyryat-1) Diving Support Vessel
1x Project 368 (Poluchat)
3x Anti pollution boat's
3x Archangels boat's
had more than 145 vessels in service. 45 of them were small, fast Chinese Type 25 Huchuan Class PHT torpedo boats, carrying two/four 533 mm Torpedoes, and some Shanghai-class coastal ASW patrol craft. The glory of the fleet were 4 Soviet built Whiskey class submarine
s, a direct result of an Albanian-Soviet dispute over their ownership, after Albania withdrew from the Warsaw Pact
(1961) and the Soviets abandoned the Pashaliman base. The submarines were put into full service thanks to Chinese assistance, but by the end of 80's their efficiency was in doubt due to Albanian isolation and the end of Chinese help. Officially, the submarines were retired in 1998.
Their name was changed from the Coastal Defense Command of the Albanian Army in 1996. With the new structure the naval forces are regrouped in the Albanian Navy Brigade under the Albanian Joint Forces Command
Albanian Joint Forces Command
The Albanian Joint Forces Command, consists in the branch of the Albanian Armed Forces charged with protecting the territorial integrity of Albania...
. The Albanian Navy Brigade Headquarters is located in Durrës
Durrës
Durrës is the second largest city of Albania located on the central Albanian coast, about west of the capital Tirana. It is one of the most ancient and economically important cities of Albania. Durres is situated at one of the narrower points of the Adriatic Sea, opposite the Italian ports of Bari...
, and operates 2 bases. One in Durrës (Kepi i Palit base) and one in Vlora, Pashaliman base. The vessels of the Albanian Navy Brigade are mostly patrol craft and support craft, most of which were donated by Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
and the USA. Former Soviet or Chinese
People's Republic of China
China , officially the People's Republic of China , is the most populous country in the world, with over 1.3 billion citizens. Located in East Asia, the country covers approximately 9.6 million square kilometres...
boats have been retired from service. Only 4 Soviet built minesweepers
Minesweeper (ship)
A minesweeper is a small naval warship designed to counter the threat posed by naval mines. Minesweepers generally detect then neutralize mines in advance of other naval operations.-History:...
remain still in service, pending the arrival of 4 large Damen Stan Type 4207 patrol boat
Patrol boat
A patrol boat is a relatively small naval vessel generally designed for coastal defense duties.There have been many designs for patrol boats. They may be operated by a nation's navy, coast guard, or police force, and may be intended for marine and/or estuarine or river environments...
s from the Netherlands
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
.
The Navy performs mainly duties, based on the concept of "one Force, two Missions". The legal framework has been updated in order to facilitate these missions and EU - NATO integration. Turkey
Turkey
Turkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...
and Greece
Greece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
are also assisting Albania in a common effort to modernize the current Naval Academy and rebuild the repair facilities in Pashaliman district. The Navy is also responsible for aids to navigation, including lighthouse
Lighthouse
A lighthouse is a tower, building, or other type of structure designed to emit light from a system of lamps and lenses or, in older times, from a fire, and used as an aid to navigation for maritime pilots at sea or on inland waterways....
s.
Patrol boats
4 x Damen Stan 4207 patrol vesselDamen Stan 4207 patrol vessel
The Damen Stan Patrol 4100, Damen Stan Patrol 4207 and Damen Stan Patrol 4708 are three related designs from the Damen Group, a Dutch shipbuilding firm.The Stan 4207 design are patrol vessels.They are wide, and can travel at 22 knots....
s
- Albanian patrol vessel Iliria 2008
- Albanian patrol vessel OrikuAlbanian patrol vessel OrikuThe Oriku is a patrol vessel of the Albanian Navy Brigade, built at the Pashaliman Naval Base in Vlorë, Albania.The ship was named for Oriku, an ancient city which once occupied its area....
2011 - Albanian patrol vessel Lisus 2012
- Albanian patrol vessel Butrindi 2013
2 x Shanghai II
1 x Kronshtadt
Service Craft
1x repair craft (ex-LCT Mk 3 Landing vesselLanding craft tank
The Landing Craft, Tank was an amphibious assault ship for landing tanks on beachheads. They were initially developed by the British Royal Navy and later by the United States Navy during World War II in a series of versions. Initially known as the "Tank Landing Craft" by the British, they later...
)
1x Project 522 (Nyryat-1) Diving Support Vessel
1x Project 368 (Poluchat)
3x Anti pollution boat's
3x Archangels boat's
History
Until 1996 AlbaniaAlbania
Albania , officially known as the Republic of Albania , is a country in Southeastern Europe, in the Balkans region. It is bordered by Montenegro to the northwest, Kosovo to the northeast, the Republic of Macedonia to the east and Greece to the south and southeast. It has a coast on the Adriatic Sea...
had more than 145 vessels in service. 45 of them were small, fast Chinese Type 25 Huchuan Class PHT torpedo boats, carrying two/four 533 mm Torpedoes, and some Shanghai-class coastal ASW patrol craft. The glory of the fleet were 4 Soviet built Whiskey class submarine
Whiskey class submarine
Whiskey-class submarines are a class of naval submarines that the Soviet Union built in the early Cold War period.-Design:...
s, a direct result of an Albanian-Soviet dispute over their ownership, after Albania withdrew from the Warsaw Pact
Warsaw Pact
The Warsaw Treaty Organization of Friendship, Cooperation, and Mutual Assistance , or more commonly referred to as the Warsaw Pact, was a mutual defense treaty subscribed to by eight communist states in Eastern Europe...
(1961) and the Soviets abandoned the Pashaliman base. The submarines were put into full service thanks to Chinese assistance, but by the end of 80's their efficiency was in doubt due to Albanian isolation and the end of Chinese help. Officially, the submarines were retired in 1998.
Officer Ranks
In descending order the ranks of the officers of the Albanian Navy, along with their equivalent rank in English.- Admiral (AdmiralAdmiralAdmiral is the rank, or part of the name of the ranks, of the highest naval officers. It is usually considered a full admiral and above vice admiral and below admiral of the fleet . It is usually abbreviated to "Adm" or "ADM"...
) - Nenadmiral (Vice AdmiralVice AdmiralVice admiral is a senior naval rank of a three-star flag officer, which is equivalent to lieutenant general in the other uniformed services. A vice admiral is typically senior to a rear admiral and junior to an admiral...
) - Kunderadmiral (Rear AdmiralRear AdmiralRear admiral is a naval commissioned officer rank above that of a commodore and captain, and below that of a vice admiral. It is generally regarded as the lowest of the "admiral" ranks, which are also sometimes referred to as "flag officers" or "flag ranks"...
) - Kapiten / Rangut Te Pare (CaptainCaptain (naval)Captain is the name most often given in English-speaking navies to the rank corresponding to command of the largest ships. The NATO rank code is OF-5, equivalent to an army full colonel....
) - Kapiten / Rangut Te Dyte (CommanderCommanderCommander is a naval rank which is also sometimes used as a military title depending on the individual customs of a given military service. Commander is also used as a rank or title in some organizations outside of the armed forces, particularly in police and law enforcement.-Commander as a naval...
) - Kapiten / Rangut Te Trete (Lieutenant CommanderLieutenant CommanderLieutenant Commander is a commissioned officer rank in many navies. The rank is superior to a lieutenant and subordinate to a commander...
) - Kapiten Leitenant / Pare (Senior LieutenantLieutenantA lieutenant is a junior commissioned officer in many nations' armed forces. Typically, the rank of lieutenant in naval usage, while still a junior officer rank, is senior to the army rank...
) - Kapiten Leitenant (LieutenantLieutenantA lieutenant is a junior commissioned officer in many nations' armed forces. Typically, the rank of lieutenant in naval usage, while still a junior officer rank, is senior to the army rank...
) - Leitenant (Sub LieutenantLieutenantA lieutenant is a junior commissioned officer in many nations' armed forces. Typically, the rank of lieutenant in naval usage, while still a junior officer rank, is senior to the army rank...
) - Nen Leitenant (Acting Sub LieutenantLieutenantA lieutenant is a junior commissioned officer in many nations' armed forces. Typically, the rank of lieutenant in naval usage, while still a junior officer rank, is senior to the army rank...
)
Sources
- Wertheim, Eric. The Naval Institute Guide to Combat Fleets of the World, 2005–2006; Their Ships, Aircraft, and Systems. US Naval Institute Press. Annapolis, Maryland. 2005.
- Jane's Fighting Ships 2005-2006, Jane's Information Group, ISBN 0-7106-2692-4
- The Military Balance 2008, The International Institute for Strategic Studies, ISBN 978-1-85743-461-3