The United States donated Monday 1,269 M4 automatic rifles, estimated at a total of $1.2 million. The donation was handed over to North Macedonia’s Army as a support towards the development of a light infantry battalion unit.
The donation is part of larger projects, funded by the US government, to help the Army modernize its equipment, Defence Minister Radmila Shekerinska said after US Ambassador Kate Byrnes handed over the donation at the Gjorche Petrov military barracks.
According to her, the M4 5.56-calibre rifle is a NATO standard. “The donation ensures our light infantry is fully equipped as it is not only a Macedonian unit, it is also a NATO unit, which is being prepared for the first NATO assessment in 2022,” Shekerinska said adding the country should receive as a donation more than 2,000 automatic weapons.
The donation, the Minister stressed, shows how wide-ranging and how serious the defence cooperation between the United States and North Macedonia is after joint investments were launched at the Krivolak bases and a new memorandum of understanding in defence had been signed in less than a week.
US Ambassador Byrnes said her country will continue to be a strategic partner in the activities for modernization of the Army. The rifles, according to her, will strengthen the interoperability not only with the US but also with other NATO allies. Byrnes also said the donation is yet another proof of the long-standing defence cooperation, further strengthened with the signing of last week’s memorandum of understanding and North Macedonia’s efforts to modernize the army.
The project, set to be completed in 2022, includes more military equipment, such as machine guns, grenade launchers and other elements of use for the servicemen.
Minister Shekerinska said a majority of the weapons of the army is being converted according to NATO standards. “It is part of a larger package to transfer to joint platforms because it is important to be similar when taking part together in exercises or operations,” she noted.
For the first time this year, Sherekinska said, the defence budget was increased, 25%, intended for modernization and equipment.
“This shows what it means to be an ally. We have obligations as an ally and we are meeting them. Modernization is already under way, including light armored vehicles, donated by the US. We have been witnessing US assistance – both financial and in terms of equipment,” she said thanking the US embassy, particularly the defence cooperation office.
