In North Macedonia 29 new Oshkosh JLTV armoured vehicles were presented on 15 August at ‘Jane Sandanski’ Barracks in Shtip.
~
Press Release, Skopje, 15 August 2025: Today, the new 29 JLTV armoured vehicles were presented at the ‘Jane Sandanski’ barracks in Shtip, in the presence of Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski, Minister of Defence Vlado Misajlovski, Chief of the General Staff, Major General Sashko Lafchiski, and US Ambassador Angela Aggeler, bringing the number of this type of vehicle owned by the Army to 67.
“As Prime Minister, one of my top priorities has always been the security of the country, as well as preserving peace and stability in the country, since these are the basic preconditions for us to be able to develop a society that will progress and a society that will offer a future for all citizens. An unbreakable link, of course, to these ambitions is the Macedonian Army”, said Prime Minister Mickoski.
Today, he added, we are attending this event which is a continuation, I would say, of the event that took place a year ago, which the esteemed US ambassador spoke about, and I am truly proud that we are slowly, but surely, rounding up the equipping process, thus enhancing and strengthening the Macedonian Army. We will not stop here, we will continue further, said the Prime Minister.
Minister Misajlovski emphasised that the defence capacities and capabilities of the Army continue to increase and strengthen, and that in cooperation with the United States and the programs through which procurement for the modernisation of the Macedonian Army is carried out, the number of light armoured vehicles has almost doubled.
“29 new armoured vehicles that were purchased through the Government-to-Government contract are already part of the Army. With this new delivery, we are approaching the required number of vehicles, and additionally, we are expecting some of the STRYKER armoured vehicles, also an American production, to arrive soon”, underlined Misajlovski, adding that the vehicles are intended for the Light Infantry Battalion Group, our declared unit that will be ready for deployment and missions when needed.
The Minister informed that seven new contracts have also been signed with the United States, projects that are in the process of implementation, and relate to the procurement of Special Forces equipment, the procurement of UAV systems, cyber protection equipment, light infantry weapons, personal protection equipment and Joint Fire Control Kit.
Ambassador Aggeler emphasised that these light armoured vehicles represent the embodiment of the United States’ continued support for North Macedonia and its defence capabilities, and are a “strong and powerful symbol of your progress toward a modernised military, equipped and ready to meet the demands of today’s complex security environment”.
~
