Thewesternbalkans
Following the official information from NATO headquarters in Brussels, Albania officially re-opened Kuçova airbase on Monday (4 March 2024), after transforming the decades-old base into a modern hub for NATO future air operations. Located around 80 kilometres south of Tirana, Kuçova airbase will serve Albania and support Alliance logistics, air operations, training and exercises. NATO funded the base upgrade with around €50 million.
The Kuçova base is NATO’s biggest project in Albania in the last decade. Renovation work began with a ground-breaking ceremony in 2019 and includes upgrades and renovations to the control tower, runways, hangars and storage facilities. The works were funded by NATO’s Security Investment Programme (NSIP) which covers major defence construction projects in Allied countries.
Acting Spokesperson Dylan White said that “The airbase will serve as an important NATO air hub. The makeover of Kuçova airbase is a strategic investment and shows that NATO continues are strengthening its presence in the Western Balkans, an area of strategic importance to the Alliance.”
Monday’s formal opening was attended by the Albanian President Bajram Begaj, the Prime Minister Edi Rama, the President of the Assembly Lindita Nikolla, the Minister of Defence Niko Peleshi and the Chief of Defence Major General Arben Kingji. The Italian Minister of Defence Guido Crosetto, Turkish Lieutenant General Göksel Kahya and other high ranking officials also spoke at the ceremony.
From NATO’s side, the Commander of the Combined Air Operations Centre Torrejón, Lieutenant General Juan Pablo Sanchez De Lara and the General Manager of the NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA), Stacy Cummings joined.
Comments: The strengthening of NATO’s presence in the countries of the Western Balkans is of strategic importance and has serious geopolitical consequences related to reducing the possibilities of influence of Russia and China in the region. Albania is an outlier in the Western Balkans where NATO membership is strongly supported by the population and political class. And this is a guarantee of loyalty and future good interaction.
