Albanian Naval Force
| Albanian Naval Forces Forca Detare |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Active | 1925 – today |
| Country |
 Albania
|
| Allegiance | Republic of Albania |
| Type | Navy |
| Part of | Albanian Armed Forces |
| Anniversaries | December 25 – Navy's Foundation Day |
| Equipment | 38 ships |
| Commanders | |
| President of Albania | Bujar Nishani |
| Minister of Defence | Mimi Kodheli |
| Chief of General Staff of the Albanian Armed Forces | Major General Jeronim Bazo |
| Commander of the Naval Force | Brigadier General Ylber Dogjani |
| Insignia | |
| Naval Ensign |  |
| Naval Ensign (1958–1992) | .svg) |
| Naval Ensign (1954–1958) | .svg) |
| Racing stripe |  |
The Albanian Naval Force (Albanian: Forca Detare të Republikës së Shqipërisë) is the naval branch of the Albanian military. Their name was changed from the Albanian Naval Defense Forces in 2010. The Naval Force is headquartered in Durrës, and operates multiple bases, including Kepi i Palit base in Durrës, and Pashaliman in Vlorë.
The vessels of the Albanian Naval Force are mostly patrol craft and support craft. The Naval Force operates four large Damen Stan Type 4207 patrol boats, three of which were built in Albania. Some of the Naval Force's vessels were purchased from, or donated by Italy, the United States, China, or the Soviet Union. Most former Soviet or Chinese boats have been retired from service; only 1 Soviet built minesweeper remains in service.
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. The Navy is also responsible for aids to navigation, including lighthouses.
The history of the Albanian navy dates back to the General Command of Military Powers in 1925, following the creation of the Albanian Republic. Earlier efforts to create an Albanian naval force following Albanian independence in 1912 failed due to the start of World War I. In this period Albania possessed few naval vessels. Following the establishment of the Albanian Kingdom by King Zog in 1928, the navy was reformed into the Royal Albanian Navy.
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