Prilep, 18 July 2025 (MIA) - Today we stand before an important step for our country, we are strengthening our defense capabilities, modernizing our army and clearly demonstrating we know how to invest responsibly, strategically and in the interest of the safety of our citizens, said Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski at Friday’s promotion of an artillery battery composed of six 105 mm Turkish ‘Boran’ howitzers and other accompanying equipment at the “Mirche Acev” barracks in Prilep.

The Prime Minister stressed that the equipment has been procured from Türkiye as part of the Army’s modernization and equipping process.

“I am proud to announce that the Ministry of Defense has successfully realized two significant agreements for the procurement of new, modern military equipment – equipment which is fully aligned with NATO standards. This isn’t just a procurement, it is a vision for Macedonia as a stable, secure and well-prepared member of NATO,” Mickoski said.

As part of the first agreement, six howitzers have been procured and delivered. Alongside them, the procurement of long-range ammunition is planned, with its delivery and payment scheduled for 2026. The second agreement covers the procurement of equipment for the howitzers – communication and fire control systems that, according to the Prime Minister, will significantly increase the firepower and precision of the units.

“The strength of a country is seen through is ability to protect its sovereignty, to ensure peace and stand firm when challenged. Without security, there can be no stable development. Without a strong defense, there can be no permanent stability. These aren’t just figures. These are living testimonies to the new approach we are building – an approach in which the security system is being developed thoroughly, responsibly and with a clear goal,” the PM said.

Defense Minister Vlado Misajlovski thanked Türkiye for the equipment, which he said would significantly contribute to the country’s security.

“At the Ministry of Defense and the General Staff of the Army, we are fully committed to building defensive capacities that mean a well-prepared and equipped Army always ready to respond to the needs of the citizens and the country’s security. We are seeing proof of that today, in front of all of us. This new equipment will seriously contribute to increasing the Army’s battle readiness and its ability to guarantee the security of Macedonia and the safety of the Macedonian citizens,” Minister Misajlovski said.

The Minister stressed that the procurement of the equipment from Türkiye through a government-to-government agreement demonstrates that the country has “enormous trust in the high-quality” of the equipment produced by the Turkish defense industry.

Photo: MIA