North Macedonia wants to have more modern systems in service and plans to increase financing of its defense industry by 58% in five years: from $317 million in 2022 to $542 million in 2027, as Army Technology reports. Among the country's plans is to "facilitate the transition" from Soviet systems to modern weapons and military equipment.
Although even 542 million seems insignificant, North Macedonia allocates a fairly high percentage of its GDP to defense industry: about 2.6% (provided that the standard set by NATO is 2%). This indicator is higher than in such countries like Germany or France (1.8% and 1.9%, respectively).
Read more: Western "Armor" is Headed to Ukrainian Warriors: A New Video of the Bradley IFVs on Their Way to Ukraine Was Released
As noted by GlobalData analyst Williams Davis, the country's financing of defense is admirable, saying the North Macedonia has committed to purchasing equipment, including armored vehicles, and the country is increasing procurement spending in sectors such as electronic warfare.
Overall, North Macedonia currently plans to focus own efforts on conducting hostilities on land. In 2021, the US approved the sale of Stryker armored personnel carriers to them.
North Macedonia also needs more funds for defense industry because the war in Ukraine makes it difficult to access spare parts for Soviet military equipment.
Defense Express reminds that last year North Macedonia officially announced about handing over all tanks (31 T-72A) to Ukraine. In addition, this country has in service such armored vehicles as 10 BMP-2, one BMP-2K, 27 M-113 armored personnel carriers, 10 MT-LB, 9 Leonidas APCs, 56 BTR-70, 12 BTR-80, 84 TM170 Hermelin armored vehicles and two Cobra armored vehicles. In addition, in 2022, North Macedonia received the first batch of the JLTV vehicles from the United States.
Read more: russians Learned How to Make "Lancet" Drones Out of Vape Batteries and Chips From Kids Toys
