Britain trains Albania pilots for French helicopters

TIRANA, June 20 – On Wednesday Albanian Defense Minister Arben Imami signed a contract with the British helicopter company FB Heliservices for training of the Albanian pilots to enable them to pilot the new COUGAR medium lift helicopters which will be delivered shortly by EUROCOPTER.
Three years ago Albania signed a 78.6 million euro deal to buy five military helicopters from France-based Eurocopter.
The Defense Ministry said in December 2009 that the AS 532 AL Cougar transport helicopters would be delivered over the next three to four years by Eurocopter, a branch of Airbus parent company EADS.
FB Heliservices are a well-known company in this field, providing helicopter pilot and crew training for the British Armed Forces and for a number of other governments. This is the first time such a contract has been signed between the Albanian Ministry of Defense and a British company.
The Albanian pilots will be trained to international and NATO flying standards with the aim that, in due course, the helicopters will available for NATO operations.
Minister Imami underlined that this new contract continued Albania’s strong and historic relationship with the United Kingdom and supported the professional development of the Albanian Armed Forces.
Former Communist Albania, which joined NATO in April 2009, is engaged in a major military overhaul to come in line with alliance standards, replacing its antiquated Russian and Chinese-made tanks, aircraft and naval ships.