Military of the Republic of Macedonia

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The Armed Forces of the Republic of Macedonia (Macedonian: Армија на Република Македонија) were formed in 1992 after withdrawal of People's Yugoslav Army which left behind only a small number of infantry weapons and four broken World War 2 T-34 tanks to equip the new army.

1 Organization
2 Statistics
- 2.1 Historial military expenditure
3 References and links

[edit] Organization

The primary arm of the military in RM is the Army (ARM). The ARM is commanded by the Minister of Defense through the Chief of the General Staff (CGS) of the ARM. Two Deputy CGS positions include the Deputy CGS for planning, operations and readiness, under whom operates the General Staff of the ARM, and the Deputy CGS for civil-military cooperation.

[edit] Land Command

The largest command of the ARM is the Land Command, which is further broken up into the rapid reaction forces, the strategic reserve forces, and the support forces.

The rapid reaction forces represent the main active combat capability of the ARM, and consist of the 1st Brigade, 2nd Brigade, and the Armour Battalion with 36 tanks T-72M stationed in Stip.

The strategic reserve forces provide reserve brigades that can be called up in times of emergency. The 3rd Brigade and 4th Brigade are considered priority reserve units, while a further six units, numbered five through ten, also are maintained.

The support forces include a number of units to support the rapid reaction and reserve forces in operation. They include a rocket artillery unit (BM-122), an air defense battalion, a signal battlaion, a logistic battalion, an engineer battalion, a NBC company, a reconnaissance company, and a military police company.

[edit] Military Aviation and Air Defense

The air component of ARM is represented by the Command of Military Aviation and Air Defense of the RM, which consists of the Aviation Wing and the Support Forces.

The Aviation Wing consists of an air force combat squadron (equipped with Mi-24F type attack helicopters), a transport squadron (equipped with Mi-17, Mi-8 and UH-1 transport helicopters) , a reconnaissance squadron, a training squadron (equipped with three ageing Su-25 and one Su-25UB), the Air Defense Battalion (equipped with strela-2m, igla, and strela-10 SAM systems), the Air Reconnaissance Battalion, and the Securing and Logistics Support Company.

[edit] Special Forces Command

Special Forces Command controls operations of the Military Police and Reconnaissance Battalion, Ranger Battalion, as well as the Special Force Battalion (Wolves).

[edit] Training Command

Training Command consists of the educational centers in RM, and is responsible for ensuring training and readiness standards, in particular for meeting of NATO goals, are met.

[edit] Logistics Command

Formed in 2001, the Logistics Command oversees all combat service support operations, and controls the Land Forces Logistic Base, the Military Hospital, and the Facility for Building and Maintenance.

[edit] Other commands

Other commands under the CGS include an electronic warfare unit, the Honor Guard Unit, and an engineer regiment and signal regiment.

[edit] Statistics

Military branches: Army, Navy, Air and Air Defense Forces, Police Force

Current strength: 11,000 active (including 4,000 conscripts until end of year) + 48,000 reserves

Military manpower - military age: 19 years of age

Military manpower - availability:
males age 15-49: 548,183 (2001 est.)

Military manpower - fit for military service:
males age 15-49: 442,053 (2001 est.)

Military manpower - reaching military age annually:
males: 17,905 (2001 est.)

Military expenditures - dollar figure: $76.3 million (FY00/01)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 2.17% (FY00/01)

The United States military has a liaison relationship with the republic's military by way of the Partnership for Peace program. The Vermont National Guard acts as the agent through which military exchanges are conducted and relationships built.