Albania celebrates Independence Day with a military display

Albania celebrates Independence Day with a military display | iNFOnews.ca
Children pose for photogrpahs near old outdated weaponry of the Albanian army which are on show at the Defense Ministry in the capital Tirana, Monday Nov. 28, 2016, for the celebrations of Independence Day. Albania joined NATO in 2009, and since then has been replacing outdated weaponry with the new ones in line with the alliance's standards. (AP Photo Hektor Pustina)

TIRANA, Albania – Albania has celebrated its Independence Day with a display of Mig-19 Chinese-made jets and other outdated weaponry.

Two jets, a helicopter, rocket launchers, a missile, transport vehicles, guns, other weaponry and a cement bunker from the former communist regime is on show from Monday in the courtyard of the Defence Ministry in the Tirana suburbs.

Albania declared independence in 1912 after five centuries under the Ottoman Empire. After World War II it was tied first to the Soviet Union and then to China, until the fall of communism in 1990.

It joined NATO in 2009 and has replaced outdated weaponry in line with the alliance’s standards.

Most of its Eastern Bloc-era transport vehicles, jets, tanks and armoured personal carriers, as well as infantry AK-47 assault rifles, have been sold for scrap.

News from © The Associated Press, . All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Join the Conversation!

Want to share your thoughts, add context, or connect with others in your community?

Create a free account

The Associated Press

The Associated Press is an independent global news organization dedicated to factual reporting. Founded in 1846, AP today remains the most trusted source of fast, accurate, unbiased news in all formats and the essential provider of the technology and services vital to the news business. More than half the world’s population sees AP journalism every day.

Related Articles