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Fighter jets over Albania: The small NATO state doesn't have any of its own.
These aircraft, stationed in Italy, were part of the show for the reopening of the Kuçova military airfield.
Another building block for NATO in its efforts to secure the alliance's eastern flank.
Edi Rama, Prime Minister Albania
»This base will contribute to security in the Western Balkans.
We all know that this region is endangered by the neo-imperialist ambitions of the Russian Federation.«
NATO has spent around 50 million euros on renovating the airfield.
The town of Kuçova was called “Stalin City” during communist times.
Until now, Soviet and Chinese-made combat aircraft have been rotting away here.
They are relics from the Cold War, once purchased by the Warsaw Pact to attack targets in NATO countries.
An irony of history.
Edi Rama, Prime Minister Albania
»If you look at the Kremlin's war plans at the time, you see that the war ended with the bombing of Vienna, Stuttgart, Munich, Nuremberg, two NATO bases in Denmark and three Italian bases in Padua, Verona and Vicenza would have started.
Part of the operations would also have been carried out with combat aircraft from the Kuçova base.
Today we live in a new era and fortunately Albania is on the other side.«
In the future, in addition to “Bayraktar” drones from Turkey, NATO fighter jets will also be able to take off here.
Kuçova is the first NATO air base in the Western Balkans.
The construction of a naval base on the Adriatic coast of Albania is also being discussed.