Skopje, 18 August 2026 (MIA) -- The Army marks its 34th anniversary Tuesday as a modern and fully interoperable force within the Euro-Atlantic security system, dedicated to protecting the state's independence, territorial integrity and security as well as being a reliable NATO ally.

According to army officials, the past year saw the military's most dynamic equipment and transformation cycle to date, alongside continuous support for the state's institutions during crises and natural disasters. Troops in 2026 showed high operational readiness, interoperability and timely response capacity, officials said.

The successful evaluation of the Light Infantry Batallion Group during the Flash 26 exercise on April 24, when NATO evaluators said the unit meets all NATO standards and assessed it as "combat-ready to carry out its mission," was an important milestone for the military.

Active participation in international missions

More than 180 army members are currently deployed in international missions in Bulgaria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Latvia, Lebanon and Romania. They also participate in the NATO Security Assistance and Training for Ukraine, a NATO command that coordinates the provision of military equipment and training to Ukraine. Additionally, over 300 troops remain on high alert to assist the local authorities and institutions with the state's wildfire response.

Meanwhile, the army is undergoing its largest modernization cycle since its formation. Its new Stryker and JLTV armored vehicles have bolstered the mobility and efficiency of the units; the Boran artillery system has improved its distant battlefield precision; and the upcoming integration of the Mistral 3 air defense system is expected to further strengthen the national airspace defense capacities.

The country's chief of defense, Maj. Gen. Sashko Lafchiski, said that achieving the "combat-ready" or "Mission Capable" status for the Light Infantry Battalion Group was a great success not only for the unit but also for the entire nation. 

"It is the result of a clear strategic direction, hard work, systematic planning, preparation, training, equipment and modernization as well as the collective synergy of the army, the defense ministry and state institutions," Lafchiski told MIA.

He said the army had proved its dedication to fulfilling NATO standards, being highly trained and equipped to stand shoulder to shoulder with allied forces.

The head of the evaluation team, Lt. Col. Goran Kimov, confirmed that the unit had met all rigorous criteria during the Flash 26 assessment. He said the troops had successfully demonstrated their high operational readiness and interoperability.

Accelerated modernization, investments in army capacities

According to the Ministry of Defense, the modernization of the army remains one of its key priorities. Military investments for the year total EUR 116 million, or 32.5% of the total defense budget. This is well above the NATO requirement that member states allocate at least 20% of defense funds toward modernization.

Several procurement procedures have been completed, including for the new Stryker and JLTV armored vehicles and the Boran artillery system. The Mistral 3 air defense system has been partly delivered, with the remaining components expected to arrive by year-end. Two new helicopters are also expected to arrive in the second half of the year.

Other defense procurements are underway through 16 active agreements with the United States, which include the future acquisition of Javelin anti-tank systems scheduled for delivery in 2027 and 2028, alongside the introduction of unmanned aerial systems and modern surveillance technology.

The army has also received financial support via the European Peace Facility, which has delivered three assistance packages worth EUR 38 million and an additional EUR 2 million for the Balkan Medical Task Force, supplying radars, thermal cameras, engineering machinery and vehicles, among other necessary equipment. 

Infrastructure investments are also underway, with more than EUR 12 million earmarked for 2026 and 2027 to upgrade army facilities and military barracks nationwide. These include Skopje's Ilinden and Goce Delchev baracks, the barracks in Shtip, Veles and Prilep as well as the Krivolak military training area. 

The Ministry of Defense is also working on amendments to the Law on Military Service to address the career status of professional soldiers reaching 45 years of age, providing opportunities for their continued service in the army and the defense ministry.

Addressing hybrid threats, cybersecurity

To improve readiness against emerging hybrid threats, unmanned aerial systems and cyberattacks, the Ministry of Defense and the Army have formed specialized working groups and established a dedicated Cyber Operations Center to safeguard military communication and information systems.

Officials said that network resilience is the result of developing technical and operational capacities, trained personnel, clearly defined responsibilities and an active exchange of information with NATO partners. Their goal is for military communication and information systems to be operational and secure both in times of peace and in times of crisis. mr/

Фото: АРМ и МИА архива