The Albanian Armed Forces (AAF) mark their 113th anniversary this 4 December, commemorating the creation of Albania’s military shortly after the country declared independence in 1912.
The establishment of the Armed Forces was a natural necessity for a sovereign state, tasked with protecting its borders amid frequent external threats throughout the 20th century.
From National Defense to Global Engagement
Today, the mission of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Albania has expanded significantly. As a NATO member, Albania has transformed its military into a force contributing not only to national security but also to international peace and stability.
Participation in global missions has become a key dimension of Albania’s foreign and security policy. In the context of Albania’s commitments to the fight against terrorism, the AAF play an active role in international operations under the command of:
- NATO
- The European Union
- The United Nations
- Joint coalitions with strategic partners
Nearly Three Decades of Peacekeeping Contributions
The first international deployment of the AAF took place on 9 September 1996, in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Since then, Albania has steadily increased both the number of deployed troops and the geographical scope of its missions.
According to KosovaPress, between September 1996 and December 2024, the Albanian Armed Forces contributed a total of 8,998 troops to peacekeeping and combat missions directed by NATO, the EU, and the UN.
Current Deployments
The AAF are presently engaged in missions across several regions:
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Kosovo
- South Sudan
- Latvia
- Bulgaria
- Iraq
- The Aegean Sea
Albania has also completed peacekeeping operations in:
- Iraq (earlier phases)
- Chad
- Georgia
- Mali
- Afghanistan (ISAF and RSM missions)
These contributions reflect Albania’s growing role as a credible security partner and its commitment to the responsibilities that come with EU and NATO integration.
