Rama visits Kuçova Air Base: NATO's strategic asset

Prime Minister Edi Rama and Minister of Defense, Pirro Vengu, inspected today the Kuçova Air Base, which is becoming a strategic NATO asset, thanks to investments in infrastructure, modernization and training.

Modernizing the Air Force, including the fleet of combat drones, which now also serve civilian missions, remains a key priority for national security.

Minister Vengu informed that the combat drone squadron has grown and is fully operational, enabling flights even at night. "They are mobilizable and fully interoperable," said Vengu.

"We are in the second phase of the development of the Kuçova Air Base after it was inaugurated with the support of NATO. Work has continued on the construction of new facilities. We are currently in the fortified area of ​​the ammunition and weapons depots, missiles and aviation guided bombs where we have accommodated all the ammunition and guided bombs that have recently arrived along with the suicide drones in implementation of the agreement with the Turkish ally," said Vengu.

Vengu also informed that the works on the Training Center have just been completed, which has already been handed over.

Meanwhile, the Prime Minister watched a brief demonstration of the mission that the "Bajraktar" drones were carrying out today, conducting aerial monitoring of the Vjosa Valley at the request of the Civil Protection Agency.

The Prime Minister was informed that in addition to patrolling the sea or land border, this center is available for any task assigned to it by other law enforcement agencies.

Meanwhile, Minister Vengu informed that the Piloting School will be located in Vlora, but knowing that a static NATO base like this one in Kuçova also means the arrival of many instructors, pilots and aviation technicians, both American and from other allies, it was necessary to have a center like this with classrooms, laboratories and accommodation.

"The Kuçova tactical base has a staff of 350 people, so we are also rehabilitating the former Officers' House in Kuçova in order to accommodate all personnel and family members," he added. /Telegraph/