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Macedonia - Army of the Republic of Macedonia (ARM)

The Army of the Republic of Macedonia (ARM), as the main pillar of the defence system, continues to develop itself into a modern and interoperable army that will provide deployable, sustainable and interoperable capabilities together with NATO forces, capable of meeting the national requirements and international obligations. The plans for ARM restructuring foresee by 2015 the command structure to be improved, as well as the organizationalformation structure by restructuring the combat forces, combat support forces, combat service support forces, special operations forces and reserve forces. ARM will continue the preparations of a Medium Infantry Battalion (MIB) for contribution to the overall spectrum of NATO led operations. By the end of 2013 the MIB will grow into a Medium Infantry Battalion Group (MIBG).

Development, training and education of ARM members began in March 1992 with the weapons and equipment of the Territorial Defence, after the withdrawal of the former Yugoslav People’s Army (JNA) from the then Third Army area. On December 23, 1993, the Assembly validated the decision for a full-fledged NATO membership as a strategic goal. In November 1995, Macedonia became the 27th member of the Partnership for Peace initiative and in March next year was admitted to the North Atlantic Cooperation Council. The Army in 2002 launched its reform process, which should result in deserved invitation to join NATO, which was delayed due to the Greek blockades.

From 2002 to 2018 the ARM participated in the international peacekeeping missions, mostly in the ISAF mission in Afghanistan. As of 2018, there werey 39 members of the Army participating in the mission in Afghanistan, “Resolute Support”, but also in Operation ALTHEA in Bosnia and Herzegovina, UNIFIL mission in Lebanon and logistical support KFOR forces in Kosovo, thus continuing to contribute to global peace, security and democracy. ARM as a direct participant in international operations, gained vast experience and demonstrated that it possesses highly trained personnel and highly professional capabilities and capacities.

Within the new Republic of Macedonia Defence Strategy, the mission of the ARM can be summarised as follows:

• Homeland Security: to have available forces for the protection of the independence and territorial integrity of the Republic of Macedonia in a crisis, emergency situation or in war in order to provide military assistance to internal services whenever it is requested by the civilian authorities in accordance with the law.
• Peace support and humanitarian operations: to have forces available for contributing to the efforts for dealing with humanitarian crisis and catastrophes.
• Regional conflicts and crises: to have declared military units at readiness in case of regional conflict and crisis and to operate within the structures of NATO, EU and UN led operations, and in other internationally agreed security arrangements.

The new strategic realities advocate that the ARM should have a broader spectrum of capabilities with greater flexibility and the ability to deploy rapidly. NATO membership does not simply provide access to a shared security and defence umbrella, it also requires a contribution to the promotion of stability and well-being in the Euro-Atlantic area and beyond. The Republic of Macedonia was determined to build the capabilities and declared forces for deployment beyond its territory. Therefore, the goal has been to restructure the ARM to become smaller, but more deployable and flexible, with particular attention given to the development of forces with the specialised capabilities and skills required for countering future threats. For example, the Special Operations Regiment will be able to provide a purposeful and valuable contribution to Homeland, Regional, European and global security.

In early 2003, the Macedonian Ministry of Defense adopted a strategic plan for the development of the armed forces, which provided for the reorganization of the Air Force and the necessity of modernization of the helicopter fleet (project equipping the armed forces, "Yasmin") The purpose of modernization was the completion of helicopters to NATO standards. The first stage of modernization started in 2004, work was carried out at an air base Petrovec. In April of 2005 the first two Mi-24V and two Mi-17 began the modernization program carried out with the support of "Elbit Systems" Israeli firm. The new equipment was so perfect that it caused constant praise to the joint activities with other members of NATO.

On completion of the Dynamic Plan for Transformation, the new Republic of Macedonia defense structure, organisation and posture was to be fully interoperable with NATO forces in terms of doctrine, training, structure, equipment, logistics, budgeting and planning systems.

In January 2004, the Government initiated a process of divesting obsolete equipment. All 91 T55 tanks have been destroyed and the remaining obsolete equipment have been stored ready for disposal. As of 2005 the SU-25 aircraft had been grounded for over a year and by Government decision dated June 2005, they were eliminated from the inventory list of the ARM. An assessment of equipment and ammunition holdings to determine surpluses for disposal was under way at that time.

In this direction, the Republic of Macedonia has undertaken the commitment to be able to:

• Deploy and operate a unit beyond the territory of the Republic of Macedonia with full logistical support and provide the capability to rotate the unit for a certain period of time.
• Through the Host Nation Support Co-ordination Centre (HNSCC), enable the reception and support of NATO forces within the territory of the Republic of Macedonia to inter operate with its own forces.
• Act as security forces to support the police force in NATO led peacekeeping and/or stabilisation operations.
• To abandon the concept of a "People's Army" and develop the ARM as a modern, committed, well trained and motivated professional force providing equal opportunities for all members.

Based on a Decision of the President of the Republic of Macedonia for strategic development of the ARM, adopted in December 2004, and the Order for ARM Transformation and the Dynamic Plan, adopted by the Chief of GS of the ARM in March 2005, the implementation of these key documents continued. The end of 2005 successfully completed the first phase of the transformation. Phase I included transformation of the following: the GS of ARM, the Joint Operational Command, 1st mechanized infantry brigade, the Logistic Support Command, the Electronic Surveillance Centre, the AD Battalion, the Wing, the Engineering Battalion and the NBC Company. Phase II of the transformation included: the Honour Guard Unit, ASOC, 2nd Mechanized Infantry Brigade, 2nd Logistic Battalion, Signals Battalion, 1st Logistic Battalion, 3rd Logistic Battalion, Armoured Battalion, Self-Propelled Artillery Battalion 155mm. The second phase was carried out as planned. By the end of 2006, the transformation of the Military Police battalion and the Special Operations Regiment was completed, as well as the abolishment of the 3-rd and 7-th infantry brigades and the logistic battalion, which thus completed the II phase. In the III phase, by the end of 2007, the complete transformation of the ARM was achieved by transforming the Training Command and the reserve brigade. One unit wasabolished (Training Centre) and 4 units were transformed (1 command, 1 brigade, 1 training centre and the Military Hospital).

According to the October 2005 White Paper on Defense, the ARM will have an active strength of 7,696 and a transitional reserve com¬ponent with a strength of 4,850. The new force structure of the ARM comprises three com¬mands: Joint Operational Command, Logistics Support Command and Training Command; and units directly subordinated to the ARM GS: a Special Operations Regiment; an Electronic Surveillance Centre and a Air Space Operational Centre (ASOC).

Joint Operational Command was to have two mechanized infantry brigades and a reserve infantry brigade. The reserve brigade would only be retained until the country obtains NATO membership. The command would also have an Aviation wing, a Tank battalion, with one active company, an Artillery battalion, with one active battery, a Military Police battalion, a Signals battalion, an Air-Defence battalion, with one active battery, and an NBC company.

The Logistic Support Command includes a Logistics battalion, Logistic engineering battalion, with one active company, Honour guard battalion, which includes ceremonial units, and a Garrison Support battalion. The Training Command will control all of the training centres. The aim of the Strategy on Military Education and Training is to establish a permanent professional military education system with research activities in the areas of strategy, doctrine and utilisation of lessons-learned.

In order to achieve an integrated border management system, the border security mission is currently being transferred from the ARM to the border police. The transfer of the responsibility was initiated in May 2004 and it was completed in August 2005, several months ahead of schedule, completing thus the overall process.

The State Department’s European Recapitalization Incentive Program [ERIP] provides cash to Eastern European countries that are transitioning from Russian to American-made arms. The program has spent about $190 million in six countries to help pay for American-made arms since it started in 2018, including about $30 million for infantry fighting vehicles in North Macedonia.

North Macedonia held an Industry Day for Infantry Combat Vehicles July 15-17th, 2019 for firms to supply combat vehicles to North Macedonia. Although not a hard requirement, the preference is one family of vehicles to meet all combat functions, including C2, Anti-Armor, Recon, Ambulance, Infantry Carrier Variant, etc. All combat vehicles must offer 360 degree protection – underbelly protection from hand grenades, small arms fire, and air/ground burst from 155mm round at 100 meters away.

The Infantry Carrier Variant must have the capacity to carry a nine (9) man infantry squad, and a crew of two (driver/TC) or three (driver/TC/gunner). Interest is in 4x4s, 6x6s, and/or 8x8s and/or combination thereof; Serve the purpose of the wheeled Light Infantry Battle Group (LIBG), primarily dismounted infantry operations, not a Medium Infantry Battle Group (MIBG). Primarily armed with .50 mm machine guns, 40mm automatic grenade launchers, and small arms; some variants may require the ability to employ anti-tank weapon systems. Able to incorporate tactical radio system and other data equipment.