Main Headquarters: Petrovec Airport, Skoplje

History

On February 21, 1992, the President Kiro Gligorov and the representatives of the Federal Army signed an agreement for dislocation of the Yugoslav National Army from Macedonia, deciding on April 15 as a deadline. The Army completed the withdrawal before the determined deadline and the last soldier left the Macedonian territory on March 27, 1992. 

With the withdrawal of the equipment and the weapons that Yugoslav National Army had at its disposal on the territory of the Republic of Macedonia, my country was left with few pieces of combat and military equipment which belonged to the Territorial Defense.

The development of the Macedonian Air Force started with nothing in 1992, because the former Yugoslav National Army took all the weapons and equipment which Macedonia had accumulated, wiping out a 45-year investment. No less than 40 aircraft (among them the G-2 Galeb, G-4 Super Galeb, J-21 Jastreb, J-22 Orao, SA 342L Gazelle and Mi-8 helicopters) located at Petrovec Air Force Base, near Skopje were distributed to military airports all over Serbia, now part of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. 

Macedonian Air Force (Makedonsko Voeno Vozduhoplovstvo) was created on June 10, 1992. The UTVA-75 A21 was the first type to be inaugurated into the Macedonian Air Force. Upon its creation, the Macedonian Air Force could count on only four two-seat trainers of this type, leased from the Macedonian Air Union.

The official name of the Macedonian Air Force is Protivvozdusna Odbrana i Voeno Vozduhoplovstvo na Armijata na Republika Makedonija. It is commonly abbreviated as PVO i VV ARM. 

After full-scale conflict began in 1991 in the newly-independent republics of Croatia and Bosnia-Herzegovina, the Security Council unanimously adopted resolution, requesting the immediate UN arms embargo to Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia, Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, Macedonia and Slovenia. This resolution was unfair, because Republic of Macedonia was the only one of the former Yugoslav Republics that has gained its independence as a state by peaceful means. Arms embargo slow down the development of the Macedonian Armed Forces, which are composed, of the Land Forces, the Air Force and Air Defense Forces and Lake Service.

In 1994, Macedonian Air Force acquired from Russia four Mi-17 Hip helicopters. Because of the arms embargo they were delivered to the Macedonian Air Force as a medical all white helicopters with civilian registrations. In 1996, the Security Council adopted resolution, requesting excluding Macedonia and Slovenia from the UN arms embargo. Short after this all four Mi-17s of the Macedonian Air Force were painted in new military camouflage schemes. 

Four Zlin-242L two-seat trainers were acquired from the Czech Republic in 1995. The Zlin-242L is suitable for basic, aerobatics, navigation, instrument and night flying, for formation flying and combat maneuvers. Macedonian Air Force lose one Zlin-242L on April 7, 1999. That day Zlin-242L take off from Sushevo air base, near Shtip, for a routine flight. This aircraft crashed about 1 km west of Mantovo Accumulation Lake, near Radovish. Pilot escaped with minor injuries.

Macedonian Air Force Commander, Chief General Mile Manolev announced on May 24, 1996 that Czech Republic is to provide unknown number of L-59 combat aircraft for the Macedonian Air Force. Before the end of that year Macedonian official confirmed that contract for purchase of this aircraft was not signed. It's not clear yet why this contract was not signed. 

It was reported in July 1998 that in a bid to boost military ties, Turkey is to donate 20 F-5s to the Republic of Macedonia, after the United States granted permission for the transfer of the MAP-supplied aircraft. Turkey promise that it will supplie this aircraft free of charge but Macedonia will have to bear all necessary upgrading costs. Macedonia decide to refuse this offer.

It was reported on 24 December 1999, that as a sign of frendship, Bulgaria is to donate one squadron of MiG-21bis Fishbed fighters, one squadron of Mi-24D Hind gunship helicopters and patrol boats to the Republic of Macedonia. Because airframe life of this aircraft was approaching its end, they need reparation. Because of that, as with the Turkish F-5s, Macedonia decide not to take this military aid.

According to some unnamed Macedonian Goverment sources, Republic of Macedonia in this moment is negotiating with Eurocopter for buying four helicopters of unknown type. As part of this deal Macedonia will receive from Germany unknown number (some sources said 20) Bo-105 helicopters. With this helicopters will be activated 201 PTHE squadron.

All current Macedonian Air Force aircraft are based at Petrovec, the Macedonian Air Force main air base, near Skopje. The second big airport is Ohrid, were Macedonian Air Force aircraft are rarely seen. There is a lot of airfields of "C" category all over Macedonia and they are very often used by the Macedonian Air Force.

Macedonian Air Force is trained for combat activities in the air and from the air on the objects on the ground. The basic tasks of the Air Force is to fight for a higher possible level of dominance in the air or part of it and with its activities to strengthen and assist the Land Forces in carrying out of their basic military tasks. According to its role, the activities it has double use: air defense of the territory and the Armed Forces, which covers all the defensive activities of Air Force which basic goal is to protect the territory as an integral part of the air reconnaissance and attack, especially to protect the Armed Forces an the objects important for conducting of the war, as well as air support of the Land Forces which goal is strengthening, assisting and creating better conditions for the Land Forces in order to carry out the combat tasks. In warfare situation the basic tasks of the Air Force are: to fight for the Republic of Macedonia air dominance, to conduct reconnaissance, to provide air fire support to the Armed Forces units and in the overtaking and conducting of communications. For fulfillment of these tasks, according to Chief General Mile Manolev, Macedonian Air Force needs two squadrons equipped with fighters, one squadron equipped with attack helicopters and one squadron equipped with transport helicopters. As it attempts to gain NATO-membership, Macedonia will must as soon as possible to equip its Air Force with fighters and attack helicopters. When there is a need or in warfare situation Macedonian Air Force can use all the Macedonian Air Union aircraft, among them seven UTVA-75 A21 two seat trainers and 16 An-2 transport aircraft.

Written by Igor Bozinovski

 

National Markings

The national insignia is applied to the tail boom of the Mi-17 with the point towards the direction of flight. The triangle also follows this rule when placed on the fuselage of the Zlin 242L trainers also operated by the Macedonian Air Force. The insignia is also carried on the starboard upper and port lower side of the wings. Before the latest repainting of Mi-17 fleet, last year, on one of the Mi-17 there was applied a low visiable national insignia. The national flag is applied on the fins of all aircraft.

Main marking	Fin Flash

Current service types

Type	Quantity	Role	Origin
Sukhoi Su-25/UB	3/1	Assault	Ukraine
Zlin 143L	1	Training	Czech Republic
Zlin 242L	4	Training	Czech Republic
Mil Mi-8MT	6	Utility/Transport	Ukraine
Mil Mi-17	3	Utility/Transport/Firefighting	Ukraine
Mil Mi-24V/K	10/2	Assault/Antitank	Ukraine
UH-1	2	Utility/Transport/	Greece

Please also note that Macedonian Air Force own one UTVA-66 aircraft, but it is not operational.

 

Organisation

Vozduhoploven Wing (Airborne Wing)

Base	Squadron	Type
Petrovec, near Skopje	101. Avijaciski Skvadron 101. Aviation Squadron	Su-25
	201. POHS [Protiv Oklopen  Helikopterski Skvadron]  201. Anti-armour Helicopter Squadron	Mi-24V
	301. TRHE [Transporten Helikopterski Skvadron]  301. Transport Helicopter Squadron	Mi-8, Mi-17, UH-1
	401. STS [Skolsko Trenazen Skvadron]  401. Training Squadron	Zlin 143L/242L
	501. PDO [Padobransko Dioverznatski Odred] 501. Parachute Diversion Detachment

Surface-To-Air misiles: Strela-2M (Yugoslav version of SA-7)

 

Government Air Service

Macedonian Government Aviation operates a small fleet of two aircraft, an Gates Learjet 25B and Beech King Air 200. They are in Macedonian inventory since the time when Republic of Macedonia was part of the former Yugoslavia. They are based at Petrovec Airport, near Skopje. They are primarily used for VIP transport of the Macedonian President, Macedonian Prime Minister and the other members of the Macedonian Government. Secondary they are used for calibration of ground based radar stations. It was revealed during last year that Macedonian Government is trying to sold this aircraft in wish to use the money for buying a new modern VIP aircraft. 

Written by Igor Bozinovski

Type	Quantity	Role	Origin
Learjet 25B	1	VIP Transport	USA
Beech King Air 200	1	VIP Transport	USA

 

Police Aviation

Macedonian Police operate a small fleet of three Bell-made helicopters. Two of them, an Agusta-Bell AB.206 and Agusta-Bell AB.212 are in Macedonian inventory since the time when Republic of Macedonia was part of the former Yugoslavia. Then the official name of the Macedonian Police was "Milicija na Republickiot sekretariat za vnatresni raboti na SRM" which translates as "Police of the Socialist Republic of Macedonia". When Republic of Macedonia come an independent and democratic state in 1991, the word Milicija was changed with Policija. Today the official name is "Policija na Ministerstvoto za vnatresni raboti na RM" which translates as Police of the Republic of Macedonia. Macedonian.

Police receive one more helicopter, an Bell 412EP, in November of this year as a present from Republic of China (Taiwan). This helicopter received serial Z3-HHC. It is interesting to note that this serial in the past was displayed on one of the Macedonian Air Force Mi-17 helicopters. 

The Mi-17 helicopter, bought in 1994,  carried carried both civilian Z3-HH? and military serial VAM-30?.

In 1996 Macedonia was excluded from UN arms embargo. Short after this all four Mi-17s of the Macedonian Air Force were painted in new military camouflage schemes and got only military serials. 

All aircraft carry the service title POLICIJA in Cyrillic lettering and the national flag on the fuselage sides. 

Macedonian Police helicopters are primarily used by the Ministry of Internal Affairs for various tasks: VIP transport, transport of various cargo and special police units, border monitoring, SAR missions, medevac and traffic surveillance. 

All helicopters of the Macedonian Police are based at Idrizovo, near Skopje, the main police base in Macedonia. 

Written by Igor Bozinovski

Type	Quantity	Role	Origin
Agusta-Bell AB206	1	Policing	Italy
Agusta-Bell AB212	1	Policing	Italy
Bell 412 EP	1	Policing	USA

Markings:  POLICIJA displayed on fuselage sides with crest of Ministry of Domestic Affairs

 

Macedonian aircraft serials

Type	Military Serial	Civilian Registration
Agusta-Bell AB.206		Z3-HHA
Agusta-Bell AB.212		Z3-HHB
Bell 412EP		Z3-HHC
Gates Learjet 25B		Z3-BAA
Beech King Air 200		Z3-BAB
Zlin-242L	VAM-101	Z3-DCM
	VAM-102	Z3-DCN
	VAM-103	Z3-DCO
	VAM-104	Z3-DCP
Mi-17 Hip	VAM-301	Z3-HHC [until 1996]
	VAM-302	Z3-HHD [until 1996]
	VAM-303	Z3-HHE [until 1996]
	VAM-304	Z3-HHF [until 1996]
Mi-8MT	VAM-305~VAM-310
Mil Mi-24V	VAM-201 ~ VAM-204

 

Pictures of Macedonian aircraft

 

Sources:

• Aeroflight Home Page from John Hayles

• Vladimir Trendafilovski

• Igor Bozinovski

 

Last Modified: 29.02.04 14:18

© Copyright: Dragan Kostadinov