Military of the Republic of Macedonia

Infobox National Military
name= Army of the Republic of Macedonia
native_name =Армија на Република Македонија


caption=The Emblem and images of the Army of the Republic of Macedonia.
headquarters= Skopje
commander-in-chief=Ltn. General Miroslav Stojanovski
minister=
minister_title= Defence Minister
commander=
commander_title =
active=12,900
reserve= 60,000
amount=€ 300 million (FY08)
percent_GDP=2.8% (2008 est.)
age=17 (voluntary)
available=498,300 (2008 est.)
fit=410,000 (2008 est.)
reaching=16,686 (2008 est.)
conscription = 8 or 11 months
domestic_suppliers=
foreign_suppliers=USA

history=
exports=
imports=
history= Military history of Macedonia
ranks= Military ranks of MacedoniaThe Army of the Republic of Macedonia ( _mk. Армија на Република Македонија, "Armija na Republika Makedonija" Audio|ARM.ogg|listen 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. [ [http://www.morm.gov.mk:8080/morm/en/ARM/Defence-Structure.html Basis of the National Defence Policy And Doctrine] Macedonian Ministry of Defence En_icon]

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

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

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.

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" [http://www.vojska.net/eng/armed-forces/macedonia/equipment/armor/ Armed forces of Macedonia< - Armored Fighting Vehicles] ]

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" YUG 15 (retired)
**BM-21 Grad USSR 12

Army air defense

*SAMs
**SA-7 Grail USSR - 200 [http://www.vojska.net/eng/armed-forces/macedonia/equipment/air-defense/ Armed Forces of Macedonia - Air Defence] ]
**SA-13 Gopher USSR - 1
**SA-18 Grouse USSR - 10

mall arms

*Submachine guns
**Heckler & Koch MP5 GER
*Assault Rifles
**Zastava M21 SRB
**M60 YUG
**Zastava M70 YUG
*Sniper Rifles
**Zastava M93 SRB
*Machine Guns
**Zastava M84 YUG
*Rocket Launchers
**M80 Zolja SRB / MKD / YUG
**M79 Osa YUG / SRB
**M90 Stršljen SRB / MKD
**M57 YUG

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. [http://www.setimes.com/cocoon/setimes/xhtml/en_GB/features/setimes/features/2006/04/21/feature-02]

ee also

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

References and links

*CIA_WFB_2003
* [http://www.morm.gov.mk/ Ministry of Defense official site]
* [http://www.yuairwar.com/mk.asp VV i PVO ARM (Air Force and Air Defence of the Army of the Republic of Macedonia)]

References