Today at TA Krivolak, a methodical demonstration exercise with live shooting was held, which was attended by: the President of the Government, Hristijan Mickoski, the Minister of Defense, Vlado Misajlovski, the Chief of the Army General Staff, Major General Sashko Lafchiski, the Minister of Finance Gordana Dimitrieska Kochoska, the US Ambassador to the Republic of North Macedonia, Angela Aggeler, Army generals, commanders of the first subordinated Army commands and units and the mayors of Shtip, negotino and Kavadarci.
The purpose of this exercise, which used for the first time a new system installed on a light armored vehicle – JLTV, a remote-controlled weapon station, where the person operating the system is protected in the armored vehicle, is a demonstration of tactical procedures and techniques during an attack, through the integration of combat elements and combat support, to demonstrate the combat power and readiness capacities of the reinforced infantry company, part of the Light Infantry Battalion Group – LIBG.
Prime Minister Mickoski said after the exercise: “Today we were able to see a really dynamic practical exercise using modern weaponry, using modern equipment. I can say that from what I was able to see, I can conclude that the capacities are at a really high, I would say excellent level. I am often asked if you are satisfied or not. I can say that I am very satisfied.”
“As a Government, we will continue to support you and I think we have many beautiful days ahead of us.” In regard to technical capacities, the Minister said everything that needed to be said, in the area of financial capacities, the Minister said in cooperation with the Ministry of Finance what we did during this period and what we found when we took over. But rest assured that the support for the Army, the acquisition of new equipment and funds will continue in the years to come. In order to be truly a modern and dynamic Army that will meet NATO standards”, emphasized the Prime Minister of the Government, Hristijan Mickoski.
In a statement to the media, Minister Misajlovski emphasized that the new built-in equipment primarily provides protection to the personnel who operate it, and at the same time the system itself possesses the required firepower and precision in all weather and ground conditions.
“These modern systems will be installed in more such vehicles and on some of the armored personnel carriers that we expect to arrive during the coming year. But let me also say that in addition to these systems, in the equipment of these vehicles and the Strikers, there will be other modern equipment that will be additionally installed, including the Javelin system,” Misajlovski said and added that “As a NATO member country, we must continuously invest in new modern equipment to be compatible with the rest of the allied countries and what is most important is that we, this Government, led by the Prime Minister will continue to invest in defense capacities, in human resources and new modern equipment, which will, first and foremost, mean better prepared Army, ready to respond to all challenges and contribute to strengthening peace, stability and security not only in Macedonia, but in the region and beyond with our participation in peace operations”.
The Chief of the General Staff, Major General Sashko Lafchiski, in his address to the attendants, underlined the importance of the modernization and equipping of the Army, the central place of which is occupied by the LIBG, as the primary NATO capability target with the obligation to be evaluated and combat ready by 2027.
“The process of training and performing complex combat exercises using all combat functions is a key focus of daily training in the future. The Army will continue to develop and enhance combat functions in order to meet increasingly complex security challenges. As a key factor in the future development of the LIBG, and thus of the Army, is the need to develop the self-sustainability function of the units. This need arises due to limited resources and limited allied or partner assistance in carrying out combat operations. Therefore, in the future, the LIBG will strongly focus on improving the capabilities for self-sustainability in complex combat situations,” added General Lafchiski.
Ambassador Aggeler emphasized the capacities of TA Krivolak, as a unique training ground that is of great importance for NATO.
“Krivolak training ground is really a very good training ground and as you know it is often used by US troops and other NATO allied countries that come here to train, because it has really unique conditions that are necessary for this kind of training and we really appreciate the support we receive from the Army, the Ministry of Defense and the Government,” emphasized Ambassador Aggeler.
Today’s training activity was carried out by the members of the Light Infantry Battle Group, which, according to the scenario, performed offensive combat actions with artillery and engineering support, as well as cooperation with units from the Special Forces Battalion and the air force VING.
All the attendants, who followed today’s exercise, congratulated all members of the Army for the successful conduct of the exercise. During today’s visit to TA Krivolak, part of the newly received equipment was presented as part of the process of Army modernization and equipping.
