NATO to invest 51m euros in Albanian air base

An official NATO told BIRN that the investment goal was to improve Kucova's air base infrastructure and modernisation.

From Besar Likhmeta

“NATO plans to invest 51m euros to modernise equipment at Kucova's Albanian air base,” said NATO in a written response.

The money will be spent on improving base infrastructure, including fuel deposits,” added NATO in its response.

The North Atlantic Treaty Orgniza underlined that the money for modernising the Albanian air base will come from the coalition's secure investment programme (NSIP), which covers major infrastructure projects aimed at boosting security in allied countries.

News of NATO's investment in Kuchova was first delivered by Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama, who named Kuchiva the first NATO air base in the Western Balkans.

With funds from the North Atlantic Alliance and in partnership with the Government of the Republic of Albania, NATO will invest over 50m euros, only for the first phase of the project to modernise Kucova's air base,” said Rama through a post on the social Facebook network. <

Through this project, which is expected to begin within this year, Kucova will serve as a support basis for NATO for air supply; logistical support; support for air police; as well as training and training of the Alliance,” he added.

Rama underlined that Kucova would also serve as a national base for the Albanian Air Force and NATO investment in Albania would bring a new standard for armed forces and investments to the Kucova area. <

Of course, an investment in these sizes creates new opportunities for the economic and social development of the entire region where the construction of this new air base of the last technology is planned,”, the prime minister concluded.