Albania

Republic of Albania

An independent state since the end of the Second World War, Albania was an ally of the Soviet Union for many years and a member of the Warsaw Pact. From 1946 until 1992 the country was a Socialist Republic, militarily influenced by the Soviets until 1960, and by Communist China into the early 1990s. Since 1992, the nation has embraced democratic government and is now known as the Republic of Albania (Republika e Shqipërisë). The country is today a member of NATO and has in recent years participated in numerous EU and UN-sponsored peacekeeping operations.

The Albanian Armed Forces are known as Forcat e Armatosura të Republikës së Shqipërisë or FARSH, and consist the Land Force, Naval Force, Air Force, and the Military Police (or Policia Ushtarake). In addition, the Komanda Mbështetëse or Support Command, provides key support elements including transportation, medical services, supply, maintenance, and additional essentials to the combat branches of the armed forces.

Another government agency employing camouflage uniforms for some of its personnel is the Albanian Ministry of Interior Affairs (Ministria e Punëve të Brendshme), which includes the State Police (Policia e Shtetit).

Camouflage Uniforms of Albania

• The earliest documented pattern worn by the Albanian military was a copy of the Soviet M1944 TTsMKK tricolor deceptive pattern, the use of which can be traced as far back as the 1970s. Uniforms in the overlapping stairstep pattern of dark green and foliage green on a yellow-tan base were produced locally and surviving samples are marked with appropriate nomenclature. Lowered production standards and inconsistent dye lots have resulted in several color variations in which the greens have a more olive tone and the background is more tan and less yellow. It is believed the pattern continued to be worn by engineer/sapper units well into the 1990s.

• Evidence also points to several other "spot" or "blotch" type camouflage designs that emerged during the late 1960s or 1970s. The origin of these designs remains uncertain, but could be connected to the Soviet Union. These designs consists variously of large, bright green or olive green blobs interspersed with smaller, medium brown or russet shapes (some of which are printed over the green), all on a yellowish-tan background. These designs were used by reconnaissance and special operations personnel, as well as engineer/sapper units.

• One of Albania's earliest participations as an international peacekeeper was in Bosnia as part of the IFOR in 1996. Photographs show the Albanian contingent wearing German Army flecktarn camouflage uniforms, including wet weather gear.

• This unique vertical stripe camouflage pattern was introduced in 1996. The design consists of thick brown, green & olive vertical stripes on pale green background, and is of undetermined origin. Sadly the pattern was never adopted and is considered experimental.

• Albania's long-standing relationship with China has influenced its choice of military equipment as well as uniforms. The standard woodland-derivative pattern of the PLA has been documented in use by the Albanian Armed Forces since 1995-96, although the uniforms are uniquely tailored. Early uniforms appear to have been produced from the same fabric produced for the PLA, but later variations have heavier fabric (probably locally produced) with darker colors but printed using the same drawings.

• Albania has also apparently received considerable recent military aid from the United States, including surplus US m81 woodland camouflage BDUs. Variations of the m81 pattern, locally-produced and some also possibly Turkish in origin, have also been documented. These continued to be in standard service with the Albanian Army until the early 2000s.

• Another camouflage design from the mid-1990s that is often seen among Albanian troops is a "brown leaf" pattern, probably of Turkish origin. Uniforms in this pattern have been documented both in a local-style and typical BDU cut.

• Albanian Special Forces have been documented wearing US tricolor desert pattern camouflage uniforms. Although many of these were surplus US military issue DCUs, they have also been produced locally and were worn by personnel operating in Afghanistan.

• Prior to 2008, some Albanian personnel deploying on peacekeeping operations in places like Chad were issued French Daguet three-color desert uniforms.

• Albanian personnel that have deployed to Afghanistan have worn a copy of Multicam. These included both Special Forces personnel, as well as members of the National Police.

• This unique camouflage design is now being fielded by the Armed Forces of Albania, having first appeared in November of 2012 during the 100th anniversary of the Albanian state. Although there are obvious color similarities to German flecktarn pattern, the design itself bears little resemblance up close, and is, in fact, partially based around pixelated drawings.

• A variation of this pattern for use in arid/desert environments was also introduced in 2012, and issued strictly to the Army Commando Regiment. Some sources indicate the design was actually intended for winter/snow operations, but it was apparently considered for both. This pattern is no longer being produced, and was retired circa 2019-2020.

• Within the Albanian State Police, the Forzat e Nderhyrjes se Shpejte (FNSH) - also known as "the Eagles" - are reaction groups similar to Police SWAT units. One unit is assigned to each of the eleven state prefectures. In high visibility situations, members of these groups wear a design based on woodland drawings, but having a bright blue colorway.

• Another elite organization of the Ministry of the Interior is the Reparti i Eleminimit dhe Neutralizimit te Elementit te Armatosur (Department of Neutralization of Armed Elements) or RENEA - also called Unit 88. Trained by Germany's GSG-9, this unit is primarily tasked with counter-terrorism and hostage rescue operations. Members of the unit wear a variety of camouflage designs, depending on their particular assignment, including copies of US woodland, tricolor desert and Multicam.

Unconfirmed Patterns

• A four-color "spot" or "duck hunter" design utilizing a completely different set of print screens also dates to the 1970s or thereabouts. This pattern consists of green, reddish-brown, and medium brown shapes on an almost orange-tinted background. Although the source of these uniforms is in Albania, there has yet to be confirmation that they were actually worn by any military or paramilitary units.