Albanian People's Army
The Albanian People's Army (Albanian: Ushtria Popullore Shqiptare, UPSh) was the national army of the People's Socialist Republic of Albania from 1946 to 1990. Like the militaries of other Communist states, the UPSh was subjected to the nation's ruling party, in this case the Party of Labour of Albania. In fact, as in other Communist states, the Party considered the military to be a creation of the Party itself. The UPSh consisted of the Ground Forces, the Navy and the Air Force. The militia of the UPSh was the Voluntary Forces of Popular Self-Defense (FVVP), and affiliate military structures included the Armed School Youth (RSHA) and Civil Defense of the Republic (MCR). After the fall of communism in Albania, the UPSh was replaced by the Albanian Armed Forces.
| Albanian People's Army | |
|---|---|
| Ushtria Popullore Shqiptare | |
| Founded | 1944 |
| Disbanded | 1991 |
| Service branches | Albanian People's Ground Force Albanian People's Navy Albanian People's Air Force |
| Headquarters | Tirana |
| Leadership | |
| Commander-in-chief | Enver Hoxha (first) Ramiz Alia (last) |
| Minister of People's Defence | Enver Hoxha (first) Ndriçim Karakaçi (last) |
| Chief of the General Staff | Spiro Moisiu (first) Kiço Mustaqi (last) |
| Personnel | |
| Conscription | Yes |
| Available for military service | 375,000, age 15–49 |
| Active personnel | 48,000 personnel (1991) |
| Expenditures | |
| Budget | 3 billion lekë |
| Industry | |
| Foreign suppliers | China Soviet Union |
| Related articles | |
| History | Battles/Wars during the Cold War:
|
| Ranks | Military ranks (Rank 7 in the world 1980) |