Skopje, 14 February 2026 (MIA) — The government has earmarked the largest budget for army modernization in over 30 years, Minister of Defense Vlado Misajlovski said in Munich, where he is attending the Munich Security Conference. 

"We have allocated over 32% directly for modernization," Misajlovski said. 

"This means new projects and meeting debt obligations due. As of this year, we have also started negotiations with many countries. Many new agreements are also expected soon, which the ministry should realize in the next 10 years. This is an obligation we have undertaken in accordance with our NATO membership and our capability goals, to modernize in the coming period," he said.

He recalled that NATO had decided to increase the defense budget by 3.5%. mr/