Skopje, 4 August 2022 (MIA) - Our country by providing a military donation to Ukraine is meeting at least three strategic goal, which have been met by consensus from all relevant parliamentary political parties in the country, says Marjan Gjurovski, professor at the Institute for Security, Defense and Peace at the Faculty of Philosophy in Skopje. "Macedonia being reaffirmed as a serious NATO partner by manifesting real support and military assistance to Ukraine is the first goal," he tells MIA in a statement adding that other smaller countries have also provided military donations, such as Slovakia after donating MiG-29 fighters and T-72 tanks to the Ukrainian armed forces. Through the donation, the Army is getting rid of weapons and equipment that aren't produced in the West and are not part of the new Army formation according to the NATO standards, however, they are still in operation. "The military donations do not harm the combat readiness of the Army, which is top rated by NATO as well at the latest exercise at Krivolak," says the university professor and PhD. At the same time, Gjurovski adds, the years-long plan to modernize the Army is being implemented. The United States has provided direct assistance estimated at $40 million to help the Macedonian Army modernize, which is considered crucial for its readiness in the future. "The equipment in question had been procured by Ukraine to Macedonia during the 2001 war conflict," the professor says referring to earlier reports that North Macedonia has sent to Ukraine four SU-25 jets. According to Gjurovski, the Sukhoi SU-25 jets under the Strategic Defense Overview and the new formation of the armed forces haven't been used for a long time by the air force because they are not needed after the country joined NATO. As part of the third strategic goal, says the professor, our people and our country by donating military equipment and arms to Ukraine is expressing gratitude to Ukraine and the Ukrainian people, that were one of the few that had helped the country get weapons and equipment in 2001 while being under embargo and under the watchful eye of the international community. "The government also based its decision on the Parliament Resolution condemning Russia's military aggression against Ukraine. Attempts made to devalue our Army due to this move, mostly by structures serving the pro-Russian elements in the region, are not serious. Putin's politics to change the course of the countries in the region will be defeated in the Balkans as well," Gjurovski tells MIA. He mentions that according to the legislation, eight projects are implemented for Army modernization by concluding contracts for procurement of goods and services in the field of defense and security with the governments of NATO member countries. Under the army modernization plan, various equipment will be procured including light wheeled armored vehicles, special vehicles for special purposes, 105-mm artillery systems and 105-mm ammunition, low-altitude air defense system, overhaul of transport helicopters, reconnaissance and surveillance equipment, Joint Terminal Attack Controler (JTAC), and light armored vehicles for the special forces. "The Army with the new equipment will further boost its readiness and interoperability with allied armies," professor Gjurovski concludes in a statement to MIA.