Misajlovski: Despite the heavy strain on the defense budget, equipment for the Army is arriving without delays

Defense Minister Vlado Misajlovski today gave an overview of the results in the field of defense and the Army over the past two years, emphasizing that the country remains secure and that the Army’s modernization is continuing.

Speaking about the modernization process, Misajlovski said that, in line with the budget and the planning that has been done, all obligations are being fulfilled. He stressed that even though this creates serious pressure on the defense budget, there are no delays in the arrival of equipment.

According to him, both the procurement of equipment and personnel development are progressing at an intensive pace.

The minister said that the budget is now above 2 percent and that, as was heard yesterday from NATO leaders, the country is above 4 percent in total. He described this as very important news, both for the institution he leads and for the state, because, according to him, investments are being made in all capacities.

Misajlovski also touched on the 16 agreements signed with the United States, with a total value of 339 million U.S. dollars. He explained that part of this amount is covered by North Macedonia’s budget, while the other part comes as support from the United States.

He also mentioned the European Union’s assistance through the European Peace Facility, with a total value of more than 40 million euros. This concerns equipment divided into three shipments, with the first having arrived in full, while the equipment from the second shipment is currently on the way.