Army of North Macedonia

Army of the Republic of Macedonia
Армија на Република Македонија
File:ARM-Logo-image.jpg The Emblem and images of the Army of the Republic of Macedonia.
Headquarters	Skopje
Leadership
Commander-in-Chief	Ltn. General Miroslav Stojanovski
Personnel
Military age	17 (voluntary)
Conscription	8 or 11 months
Available for military service	498,300 (2008 est.), age 15–49
Fit for military service	410,000 (2008 est.), age 15–49
Reaching military age annually	16,686 (2008 est.)
Active personnel	12,900
Reserve personnel	60,000
Expenditure
Budget	€ 300 million (FY08)
Percent of GDP	2.8% (2008 est.)
Industry
Foreign suppliers	United States
Related articles
History	Military history of Macedonia
Ranks	Military ranks of Macedonia

The Army of the Republic of Macedonia ([Армија на Република Македонија, Armija na Republika Makedonija] Error: {{Lang-xx}}: text has italic markup (help) is the name of the unified armed forces of the Republic of Macedonia. The Macedonian military is a defence force consisting of an army (Армија, Armija); an air force (Воено Воздухопловство, Voeno vozduhoplovstvo); and a professional military unit, the Macedonian Special Forces (Волци, Volci). The national defence policy aims to guarantee: the preservation of the independence and sovereignty of the republic; the integrity of its land area, territorial waters and airspace; and to defend the country's constitution. Its main interests remain the development and maintenance of a credible capability to defend the nation's vital interests and development of the Macedonia Army in such a way that ensures their interoperability with the armed forces of NATO and the European Union member states and their capability to participate in the full range of Alliance missions.

Organization

The primary arm of the military in RM is the Army (ARM). The ARM is commanded by the Minister of Defense through the Chief of the General Staff (CGS) of the ARM. Two Deputy CGS positions include the Deputy CGS for planning, operations and readiness, under whom operates the General Staff of the ARM, and the Deputy CGS for civil-military cooperation.

Land Force

Main article: Macedonian Land Force

The army is the main arm of the Macedonian ground forces. It plays the key role in securing the safety and unity of the territory of the Macedonian republic. The army is divided into the rapid reaction forces, strategic reserve forces and support forces. The rapid reaction forces represent the main active combat capability of the military and consist of the 1st Brigade, 2nd Brigade and the Armour Battalion. The strategic reserve forces provide reserve brigades that can be called up in times of emergency. The 3rd Brigade and 4th Brigade are considered priority reserve units, while a further six units, numbered five through ten, also are maintained. The support forces include a number of units to support the rapid reaction and reserve forces in operation.

Air Force

Main article: Macedonian Air Force

Macedonian Air force

The Macedonian Air Force is the main arm of the Macedonian aviation forces. It has an important role in enhancing flight safety of the Macedonian airspace. One of the main goals of the air force is to build up an air surveillance system, which will be the cornerstone of the air traffic safety and airspace control. The air component is made up by the Aviation Force and the Air Defense Forces.

The Aviation Force is located in Petrovec (near Skopje) and has a combat squadron of Mi-24 attack helicopters), a transport squadron and an Air Defense Battalion along with the Securing and Logistics Support Company.

Special Forces Command

Special Forces Command controls operations of Ranger Battalion, as well as the Special Force Battalions – Wolves.

Training Command

Training Command consists of the educational centers in RM, and is responsible for ensuring training and readiness standards, in particular for meeting NATO requirements.

Logistics Command

Formed in 2001, the Logistics Command oversees all combat service support operations, and controls the Land Forces Logistic Base, the Military Hospital, and the Facility for Building and Maintenance.

Organization of the Military of the Republic of Macedonia

Other commands

Other commands under the CGS include an electronic warfare unit, the Honor Guard Unit, and an engineer regiment and signal regiment.

Equipment

Armor

Armoured cars

• BRDM-2 armoured amphibious scout car. Units: 10

Armoured personnel carriers

• BTR-70 armoured personnel carrier. Units: 60
• BTR-80 armoured personnel carrier. Units: 12
• M-113A1 armoured personnel carrier. Units: 30
• TM-170 Hermelin armoured personnel carrier. Units: 114
• BTR-60P armoured personnel carrier. Units: 31
• MT-LB armoured personnel carrier. Units: 10

Infantry fighting vehicles

• BMP-2 infantry fighting vehicle. Units: 10

Tanks

• T-72 main battle tank. Units: 31

Logistics

• HMMWV Units: 56
• M35/44 truck Units: 50
• Iveco Units: 44
• TAM-110
• TAM-150

Artillery

• Multiple Rocket Launcher Systems
  • M-63 "Plamen" Yugoslavia 15 (retired)
  • BM-21 Grad Soviet Union 12

Army air defense

• SAMs
  • SA-7 Grail Soviet Union - 200
  • SA-13 Gopher Soviet Union - 1
  • SA-18 Grouse Soviet Union - 10

Small arms

• Submachine guns
  • Heckler & Koch MP5 Germany
• Assault Rifles
  • Zastava M21 Serbia
  • M60 Yugoslavia
  • Zastava M70 Yugoslavia
• Sniper Rifles
  • Zastava M93 Serbia
• Machine Guns
  • Zastava M84 Yugoslavia
• Rocket Launchers
  • M80 Zolja Serbia / North Macedonia / Yugoslavia
  • M79 Osa Yugoslavia / Serbia
  • M90 Stršljen Serbia / North Macedonia
  • M57 Yugoslavia

Recruitment

The Republic of Macedonia abolished the compulsory military service as of October 2006. The Macedonian Army is the first in the region to consist fully of professional soldiers.[1]

See also

• Military history of the Republic of Macedonia
• 2008 Macedonian Armed Forces Mil Mi-17 crash

References and links

• Template:CIA WFB 2003
• Ministry of Defense official site
• VV i PVO ARM (Air Force and Air Defence of the Army of the Republic of Macedonia)