Pasha Liman Base

Pasha Liman Base
Vlorë, Albania

Pashaliman base from across the Bay of Vlorë
Pasha Liman Base
Pasha Liman Base
Coordinates 40°19′26″N 19°25′09″E / 40.323889°N 19.419167°E / 40.323889; 19.419167
Type Naval Base
Site information
Controlled by Albanian Navy
Site history
In use  Albania
 Turkey[1][2]

The Pasha Liman Base or Pashaliman Base, is an Albanian navy base South of Vlorë, Albania.

History

Cold War History

Pashaliman was the only Soviet base in the Mediterranean in the 1950s.[3] It was the hot spot of conflict between the Soviets and the Albanians in 1961 when Albania pulled out of the Warsaw Pact and the dispute of the four Whiskey-class submarine ownership which Albania had seized.[4][5] Following the collapse of the Communist regime, the base was rebuilt by Turkey and under a bilateral agreement the Turkish Navy has the right to use it.[6][7]

Modern History

Albania's Kronshtadt-class submarine chaser cruising off of Pashaliman

Three of the Albanian Navy's four Damen Stan patrol vessels were built at Pashaliman, the most recent completed in 2014.[8] Currently, four retired Whiskey-class submarines previously owned by the Soviet Union are still located on the facility alongside Albania's active-duty naval vessels. They can be seen via satellite images of the base.

The Naval Force often operates naval exercises in the Bay of Vlorë, out of Pashaliman.[9] This includes exercises with other nations, such as the United Kingdom.[10] The most recent exercise, Sarex '16, took place in April, 2016.[11]

An Albanian-Turkish military cooperation agreement was signed in 1992 that encompassed rebuilding Albania's Pasha Liman Base by Turkey alongside granted access for Turkish use.[12] Turkey has assisted Albania in an effort to modernize the current Naval Academy and the repair facilities at Pashaliman.[13]

Civilian Facilities

A civilian naval engineering firm and shipyard also operates out of the military facility, providing a wide range of services.[14]

See also

References

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