Skopje, 24 December 2024 (MIA) – Modernization and equipping of the Army, meeting the target of allocating 2% of the budget for defence, improving employee standards, and recruiting younger personnel are the three pillars prioritized by the Ministry of Defence and the Army, Defence Minister Vlado Misajlovski said during annual end-of-year press briefing on Tuesday.

Starting next year, the process for recruiting 300 new soldiers will begin.

“Regarding the budget, I would like to inform and emphasize that the target for a minimum of 2% allocated for defence has been met. This amounts to €329 million, of which 32%, or €106 million, is intended for the modernization and equipping of the Army. Compared to 2024, this represents an increase of €18 million,” Misajlovski noted.

Modernization and equipping, as noted by Misajlovski, is an ongoing process implemented in alignment with the Army's plans and capability objectives. The delivery of all 96 JLTV vehicles and Stryker vehicles should be completed by the end of the year, with the Boran and Mistral systems expected to arrive by the end of 2025.

Misajlovski identified human capacity as a critical pillar, stating that it remains a top priority, particularly in terms of enhancing employee standards and integrating younger recruits into the Army.

“I would like to inform that in the past five or six months, 99% of payments have been made in accordance with the Collective Agreement. The Ministry allocated approximately €14 million to settle overdue payments for all employees from previous years, which is a remarkable achievement for the leadership. These €14 million, which were unpaid since 2018for various reasons, have now been addressed, and I am proud to say that by the end of the year, 99% of the funds will be paid. This is important for all employees, especially considering the substantial lawsuits we have faced in the past and continue to face. Just this year, over €6 million were paid out due to unpaid obligations to employees,” he noted.

Misajlovski also announced during the press briefing that next year, the process for recruiting 300 new professional soldiers will begin.

"Next year, we will announce all this information. The recruitment of 300 new professional soldiers will be open to anyone interested in joining the Army, who can view the advertisement and apply. This initiative will both increase the Army's personnel and improve our combat readiness. We will also admit up to 60 civilians with university degrees, finalize the recruitment of cadets, and make additional hires for the most critical roles within the Ministry of Defence," Misajlovski added.

He further noted that significant investments will be made in the Ministry’s facilities next year, many of which are in poor condition.

"Regarding the Army Home, I anticipate positive news next year, allowing us to begin its full reconstruction, which will be conducted in stages. We are currently working on the projects, but it is essential to improve conditions throughout the Army. Modernization remains a top priority, with more than 32% of the budget allocated for this purpose. We will also fulfil the provisions of the Collective Agreement and all legal obligations while continuing to invest in all capacities," Misajlovski said.

He said that they are not considering the introduction of mandatory military service at this time, as no initiatives in this regard have been proposed.

When asked by journalists about additional aid for Ukraine, Misajlovski stated that he had previously informed the media about a package approved during a closed government session and that they are now completing the process and preparing to sign a memorandum.

“There are no plans for new packages at this moment, but we are open to evaluating all options. If there is a way to provide assistance, we will do so, but my priority remains the modernization and full focus on our Macedonian Army,” Misajlovski said.

He highlighted that modernization efforts include eight helicopters.

"This is the largest agreement we have in the Ministry, valued at €249 million. According to the agreement, the helicopters are to arrive starting at the end of next year under a phased action plan. We are carefully reviewing all details of the agreement. I regret sharing this, but it must be addressed. We are ensuring that every agreement and document is handled with professional rigor. Over the past months, we have been engaging all relevant services to finalize this agreement, which involves two stages. Both stages have passed through government approval. The first phase entails a technical arrangement between Macedonia and Italy, while the second involves signing a contract with a state or company. Unfortunately, the technical arrangement signed between the ministers has not been officially validated within the Ministry, creating a legal issue we must resolve. At the same time, we need to move forward with the initial conference with the company to begin implementation. This is the first time I am disclosing this publicly, but we must examine every detail of this agreement legally and thoroughly. It is a significant agreement, and I am committed to responsible and transparent management," Misajlovski stated.

He also announced that a comprehensive a review of all procedures within the Army of the Republic of North Macedonia is currently being conducted.

Photo: screenshot