Editing Albanian Armed Forces (section)

====Ground Forces====
The modernization of the Land Forces began around 2006, starting with Special Forces such as the BFS (then known as the Batalioni i Operacioneve Speciale, BOS) and the Commandos. Seeing their involvement in NATO peacekeeping operations in [[Iraq]] and [[Afghanistan]], the need arose for more modern armaments given that until then these branches used old Soviet or Chinese era armaments. In 2007, the Ministry of Defense (MOD) reached agreement with the German company [[Heckler & Koch]] for the purchase of several weapons in limited quantities for special forces, including [[Heckler & Koch HK416|HK416]], two variants of [[Heckler & Koch G36|H&K G36]], [[Heckler & Koch HK417|HK417]], [[Heckler & Koch MP7|MP7]], and variants of [[Heckler & Koch USP|H&K USP]].<ref name="H&K in Albania">{{cite AV media|language=sq |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pomD16sAV5s&t=370s  |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/pomD16sAV5s| archive-date=2021-12-11 |url-status=live|publisher=Pellumb Nili Youtube Channel | title=H&K in Albania}}{{cbignore}}</ref> Some of them were only for evaluation purposes. In 2009 the [[Beretta ARX160]] was issued in much larger quantities thus becoming the standard assault rifle for the BFS over the HK416 and HK G-36. In 2015, the [[Colt M4A1]] joined ARX160 as standard use alongside it.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Soldier Modernisation {{!}} Italian Digitization Steps (ITALY)|url=https://www.soldiermod.com/volume-2-06/italian-digitisation.html|access-date=2020-07-25|website=www.soldiermod.com}}</ref> For the 3 infantry battalions, the modernization started in 2013, initially introducing the as standard handgun the [[Beretta Px4]], as a [[light machine gun]] [[Heckler & Koch MG4|H&K MG4]] and [[Heckler & Koch MG5|H&K MG5]] as a [[General-purpose machine gun]].<ref name="AAF new weapons">{{cite AV media|language=sq |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0i0hiqLsJ0Q&t=9s  |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/0i0hiqLsJ0Q| archive-date=2021-12-11 |url-status=live|publisher=Ministry of Defence Youtube Channel | title=Presentation of the AAF new weapons}}{{cbignore}}</ref><br>
In 2015 other weapons were introduced over all ground units. The [[2nd Infantry Battalion (Albania)|2nd Infantry Battalion]] (B2K) was equipped with Colt M4A1.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2014-07-17|title=Albania Army Bids Farewell to Kalashnikovs|url=https://balkaninsight.com/2014/07/17/albania-s-army-bids-farewell-to-the-kalashnikov/|access-date=2020-07-25|website=Balkan Insight|language=en-US}}</ref> The [[Military Police (Albania)|Military Police]] was equipped with the Beretta ARX160 and added 4 new Iveco LMV vehicles.<ref>{{Cite journal|date=6 November 2015|title=Hapa të tjerë drejt modernizmit|url=https://www.mod.gov.al/images/gazetaushtria/pdf/2015/ushtria_061115.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/https://www.mod.gov.al/images/gazetaushtria/pdf/2015/ushtria_061115.pdf |archive-date=2022-10-09 |url-status=live|journal=Gazeta Ushtria}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=FA merr dy helikopterë të rinj dhe katër mjete të blinduara|url=http://www.gazetadita.al/fa-merr-dy-helikoptere-te-rinj-dhe-kater-mjete-te-blinduara/|access-date=2020-07-25|website=Gazeta Dita|language=en-US|archive-date=25 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200725214029/http://www.gazetadita.al/fa-merr-dy-helikoptere-te-rinj-dhe-kater-mjete-te-blinduara/|url-status=dead}}</ref> The [[Sako TRG|Sako TRG-22]] and [[Sako TRG|TGR-44]] were distributed to all sniper units, while the [[Benelli M4 Super 90]] to the BFS and MP for [[Close-quarters combat]].<br>
The following year the [[Italian Government]] offered an aid package of 5,000 [[Beretta AR70/90]] units, which at the time were in the process of being withdrawn and replaced in favor of the Beretta ARX160 over [[Italian Army]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=2017-10-16|title=Italy to Transfer Beretta AR70/90s to Albania -|url=https://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2017/10/16/italy-transfer-beretta-ar7090s-albania/|access-date=2020-07-25|website=The Firearm Blog|language=en-US}}</ref> This package fitted the needs of the Albanian Armed Forces (AAF) as the process of replacing the old Soviet [[7.62×39mm]] ammunition with [[5.56×45mm NATO|5.56×45mm]], a task-requirement by [[Standardization Agreement]] (STANAG) of NATO allies since Albania's accession in 2009.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Anëtarësimi në NATO, Kodheli: Standardizimi i çdo elementi, parimi i punës sonë|url=https://sot.com.al/politike/an%C3%ABtar%C3%ABsimi-n%C3%AB-nato-kodheli-standardizimi-i-%C3%A7do-elementi-parimi-i-pun%C3%ABs-son%C3%AB|access-date=2020-07-25|website=sot.com.al}}</ref> The process that was expected to last within 10 years, but the aid package helped completing the process 4 years earlier and without additional costs. After the process of replacing the AK47 variants (many of which were locally produced under the name ASh-78 and ASh-82) with the AR70/90 was ended, the rifle became the standard weapon and most used over most Land Forces branches.<br>
In 2017 the Combat Support Battalion (Batalioni Mbështetjes së Luftimit, BML) was equipped with [[Hirtenberger M6C-210|Hirtenberger M6]] 60mm and Hirtenberger M8 81mm mortars by the Austrian company Hirtenberger Defense Systems. Thus removing from use the Chinese made mortars from the communist period. In March of the same year came the first 77 [[Humvee|HMMWV M1114]] of an aid package totaling 250 armored vehicles. They are obtained from [[Excess Defense Articles]] (EDA) through the [[Defense Security Cooperation Agency]], a [[United States]] program to support NATO partners and allies.<ref name="Excess Defense Articles (EDA)">{{cite web|title=Excess Defense Articles (EDA)|url=http://www.dsca.mil/programs/excess-defense-articles-eda|publisher=Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA)|format=.exe|date=6 March 2017|access-date=2017-09-02|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170907024912/http://dsca.mil/programs/excess-defense-articles-eda|archive-date=2017-09-07|url-status=live}}</ref> The vehicles were immediately put at the service of B1K. In 2019 came the second part of the package of 250 vehicles and it consisted of 36 [[International MaxxPro]] and 1 MaxxPro Wrecker recovery vehicle. These vehicles joined the previous 3 MaxxPro bringing the total number of MRAPs used by Special Forces to 40.<ref name="Excess Defense Articles (EDA)"/><ref>{{Cite web|title=US donates 37 MRAP vehicles to Albania|url=https://www.armyrecognition.com/april_2019_global_defense_security_army_news_industry/us_donates_37_mrap_vehicles_to_albania_37_mine-resistant_ambush-protected_mrap_vehicles_donated_by_the_us_government_were_handed-off_for_the_alban.html|access-date=2020-07-25|website=www.armyrecognition.com|date=16 April 2019|archive-date=16 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190416173746/https://www.armyrecognition.com/april_2019_global_defense_security_army_news_industry/us_donates_37_mrap_vehicles_to_albania_37_mine-resistant_ambush-protected_mrap_vehicles_donated_by_the_us_government_were_handed-off_for_the_alban.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> Following the 2024-2033 Armed Forces Long Term Development Plan, structural changes were made. Namely the 1st and 3rd Infantry Battalions are now increased to Regiment size and are renamed to Northern and Southern Infantry Regiment respectively. The Special Forces Battalion and the Commando Battalion are merged under same command named Special Operations Regiment. Combat Support Battalion was also transformed to Combat Support Regiment with plans to equip it with 105mm and 155mm howitzer for an Artillery Battalion on its component. The Infantry Regiments and Special Operations Regiment will be equipped with C-UAS, V-ShoRAD and M-RAD capabilities. The Northern and Southern Infantry Regiments will each have a maneuver company equipped with IFVs.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Plani Afatgjatë i Zhvillimit të Forcave të Armatosura të Republikës së Shqipërisë (PAZH 2024–2033) |url=https://www.mod.gov.al/index.php/politikat-e-sigurise-2/dokumente-strategjike/55-strategjia-kombetare-e-mbrojtjes |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241120164935/https://www.mod.gov.al/index.php/politikat-e-sigurise-2/dokumente-strategjike/55-strategjia-kombetare-e-mbrojtjes |archive-date=November 20, 2024 |access-date=November 20, 2024}}</ref>