As of: March 6, 2024, 3:26 p.m
By: Christoph Gschoßmann
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Press
Split
NATO is preparing for a future conflict with Russia.
An old Soviet air base was reopened in Albania.
Kuçova – Russia represents a threat to many Eastern European countries. Moscow’s war of aggression continues to rage in Ukraine.
There are also breakaway regions in the Republic of Moldova that would like Kremlin troops to intervene.
How far is Russia advancing and how is NATO protecting itself?
Sweden recently joined the alliance because the threat seems increasingly real in the far north.
Romania secured the border with bunkers.
NATO is expanding air defense in Eastern Europe: Russia has “neo-imperialist ambitions”
NATO is at least already thinking about air defense.
In the town of Kuçova in Albania, a Soviet-era air base has been rebuilt and reopened - but now to serve NATO aircraft.
The reason is said to be the threat to Russia.
Albania and NATO open modernized air base in Kuçova.
© Armando Babani / dpa-Bildfunk
“This is a base that will add another element of security to our Western Balkans region, which we all know is at risk from the threat and neo-imperialist ambitions of the Russian Federation,” Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama was quoted as saying.
He said this during the inauguration of the air base on Monday, March 4, 2024.
Kuçova was formerly called Stalinstadt - the air force base was modernized
The inauguration proves that the Western military alliance is “strongly committed to this important region,” said NATO representative Juan Pablo Sánchez de Lara during the ceremony in Kuçova.
The importance of the base goes “beyond the borders of Albania,” the military added.
Until the collapse of communism, Kuçova was named after the Soviet dictator Josef Stalin and was called Stalinstadt.
For years, the air base was home to dozens of Soviet and Chinese military aircraft, which rusted in open areas for years after the end of communism.
Since the beginning of 2022 - shortly before the Russian invasion of Ukraine - it has been converted into a modern base with the help of NATO funds.
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50 million euros from NATO
NATO has invested around 50 million euros in modernizing this base.
Another five million euros came from the Albanian state.
However, Albania's air force currently has no fighter jets, only helicopters and drones, including Turkish Bayraktar TB2 drones since December 2022.
These types of drones are used by Ukraine against Russia and carry light, laser-guided bombs.
Albania has been a member of the Western military alliance since 2009.
The base in Kuçova is seen as a further symbol of the Balkan country's turn to the West.
It is intended to serve as a “NATO tactical air base”.
Albania is also negotiating with NATO about building a naval base in Porto-Romano on the Adriatic coast.
Hungary recently warned of a “world war” with Russia.
(cgsc with afp and dpa)