Albania has officially inaugurated its National Flight Academy, marking a significant step in the modernization of the country's Air Force and its ambition to become a regional center for military aviation training. Speaking at the inauguration ceremony held at the Air Force Command in Rinas, near Tirana International Airport, Prime Minister Edi Rama announced that Albania will invite Kosovo to train and certify its future military pilots at the newly established academy.
Rama said he has instructed Albania's Minister of Defense to contact his counterpart in Kosovo to determine whether the Kosovo Security Force (KSF) is interested in training and certifying its future pilots in Albania. He added that the same invitation will be extended to two other neighboring NATO member states, with the goal of transforming the academy into a regional training hub for military aviation personnel.
Although Kosovo does not currently operate military aircraft or helicopters, members of the Kosovo Security Force regularly attend international pilot training programs, including previous training courses conducted in Albania.
According to the Albanian government, the opening of the National Flight Academy represents an important milestone in strengthening the country's defense capabilities and modernizing the Albanian Air Force. Defense Minister Ermal Nufi said the academy will prepare pilots and air traffic controllers using NATO's most advanced training methodologies.
He emphasized that investments in infrastructure, technology, and human resources form part of a long-term strategy to make Albania a stronger and more reliable NATO ally.
The academy's first class will consist of 25 candidates enrolled in pilot and air traffic controller training programs. Under the current plan, the Albanian Air Force will train five new pilots annually over the next five years, while also preparing technical personnel responsible for maintaining two Bell 505 training helicopters.
Prime Minister Rama credited the success of the project to the expertise of Israeli defense company Elbit Systems, describing it as one of the world's leading defense technology firms. He said graduates of the academy will not simply become pilots for Albania, but NATO-certified military aviators capable of serving alongside allied forces whenever required.
The launch of the academy comes as Albania continues to increase investment in its defense sector. Earlier this week, the government approved amendments to the 2026 state budget, allocating an additional €110 million to defense spending. Finance Minister Petrit Malaj said the increase will raise Albania's defense budget to 2.6 percent of gross domestic product (GDP), ensuring the country meets its NATO commitments while accelerating the modernization of its armed forces.
Rama also announced that, following the latest budget revision approved at the end of June, Albania's Armed Forces will receive additional Black Hawk helicopters from the United States, although he did not specify how many aircraft will be delivered.
Albania currently operates two Black Hawk helicopters, which arrived in January 2024 as part of defense cooperation with the United States. After eight Albanian pilots completed training with U.S. military instructors, the helicopters carried out their first missions under Albanian command in July of the same year. The Ministry of Defense has previously stated that its long-term objective is to expand the fleet to six Black Hawk helicopters by around 2030.
The establishment of the National Flight Academy reflects Albania's broader strategy of strengthening its role within NATO while positioning itself as a regional center for military aviation training and defense industry development in the Western Balkans.