Skopje, 26 May 2025 (MIA) - Promoting regional security, boosting NATO’s readiness and supporting the alliance’s defensive plans are the goals of the "Immediate Response 25" multinational military drill to be held at the Krivolak army field from May 26 to June 9.

The Chief of the Army General Staff, Major General Sashko Lafchiski, said last week the drill is one of the largest to be held in the country so far with around 2200 soldiers from seven NATO and two partner countries taking part.

“Among other things, the exercise aims to boost interoperability between allied and partner forces, as well as improve joint action in complex conditions and the swift reaction of forces in the eastern part of Europe,” Lafchiski said.

The exercise’s co-director, Lieutenant Colonel Risto Stoev, clarified that the scenario of the exercise, which is a part of the “Defender 25” series of drills, involves demonstrating security capabilities and strengthening cyber defense through the execution of multinational live-fire drills, a cyber exercise, river crossings, and CBRN (Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear) exercises. He emphasized that the exercise will reaffirm the capacity and skills for organizing and coordinating large-scale drills alongside other NATO armies.

The exercise will see 950 soldiers from North Macedonia take part alongside 710 from the United States, 185 from Montenegro, 150 from Kosovo, 70 from Austria, 50 from Greece, 30 from Albania, 30 from Italy, and two from the United Kingdom. ad/ik/

MIA file photo