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Albanian Navy

Albanian Naval Forces
Forca Detare
Albanian Naval Forces.svg
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 Ilir Meta
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 of Albania.svg
Naval Ensign (1958–1992) Naval Ensign of Albania (1958-1992).svg
Naval Ensign (1954–1958) Naval Ensign of Albania (1954-1958).svg
Racing stripe Albanian Naval Force racing stripe.svg

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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