Defence News
NATO to open Balkan airbase in member state Albania
An old Soviet-era air base in Albania is set to become a tactical base of operations for NATO.
It means there will be a NATO base in the western Balkans when it re-opens in 2023.
Military spending is now on the rise in much of Europe — most notably in Germany — but also in the Balkans.
Tensions are also rising in Albania’s backyard and Balkan rivals Croatia, which is a NATO member, and Serbia, which opposes the alliance, appear to be in a mini arms race. Serbia has bought MiG-29 fighter jets and tanks from its fellow Slavic ally Russia, whilst Croatia has bought 12 Rafale fighter jets from France.
Work started in January to upgrade the Kuçovë air base as a modern hub of operations and its ability to host an array of modern era fighter jets.
NATO and Albania have pledged €50 million for the Kuçove air base which is expected to be operational by the end of 2023.
It’s 85 kilometres south of Tirana, the capital, is named after the small nearby town of Kuçovë — which under Albania’s communist regime was called Stalin City.
