Albanian artillery

[redcoat2]

I would like to make a couple of suggestions for the Albanian OOB (obat55): (1) add the Chinese 100mm Type 86 ATG and (2) add the Chinese 130mm Type 59 FG.

I think the Albanians may be the only other user of the 100mm Type 86 ATG (i.e. obat14/ Unit 089) apart from the PLA. The SIPRI Trade Register (Link) says that they were delivered between 1976 and 1978. That is unlikely because the gun was developed in the ‘80s. It is possible that 1976 and 1978 should be 1986 and 1988. I do not know whether they are still in service, in reserve or withdrawn from service. 50 were still in service as late as 2002.

According to SIPRI the Albanians received the 130mm Type 59 FG (obat14/ Unit 094) between 1971 and 1975. Some may still be in service today. A few were still in service as late as 2004.

Sources:

Jane’s Armour and Artillery 2002
SIPRI Trade Register
Militaryphotos.net
The Military Balance 2004-2005 (IISS)

[Wdll]

I have a book released earlier this year. Sometime tonight or tomorrow I will have a look to see what it says about this.

In reality, very few main hardware are still operational. That includes tanks, artillery, subs, planes, helicopters, ships etc.

[redcoat2]

A lot of their old hardware was fit only for scrap.



But I think they're renovating some of their old kit and getting some - often donated - equipment from abroad (from uniforms to M113s).

Albanian M113s

[Marcello]

Originally Posted by Wdll

In reality, very few main hardware are still operational. That includes tanks, artillery, subs, planes, helicopters, ships etc.

Yes, they had very rough times in the 90's, several of the still floating warships were "recycled" for emigration purposes for example, it was that bad.
However for the purposes of this game what that matters most is that something was left operational or could have been made. For example back in 1999 I recall some italian TV interviews to albanian tankers who had been hastily recalled in service to repair some Type 59s, which they did apparently (at least they could move at any rate).
At most a cutoff for the larger formations (tank companies, artillery battalions) could be applied together with the introduction of small formations, such as single units or sections.

[redcoat2]

Since I mentioned the M113 earlier I should also say that it could be added to the Albanian OOB (obat55). Unfortunately I am not sure when they were first introduced. I’ve seen it written in another forum that they were first delivered in 1998 – but I’m not sure how reliable that date is. The Military Balance 2004-2005 (IISS) says that Albania had 37 in 2004. They should have considerably more than that by now. I think most if not all of them have been donated.

A photo to show their characteristics and armament: