North Macedonia

Military Power Ranking 2025

MPR Rank: 144th
MPR SCORE: 200
MPR Index: 0.0448 (1.0000 is perfect)
Reverse MPR Index: 0.9052 (0.0000 is perfect)
Z Score: -0.658 (standard deviations above the mean)

Overview

North Macedonia ranks 144th in the 2025 Military Power Rankings. Its military, the Army of the Republic of North Macedonia (ARNM), is a small, professional force centered on territorial defense, internal security, and NATO-aligned operations. Since formally joining NATO in 2020, the country has undergone military modernization, benefiting from Western military cooperation, training programs, and interoperability initiatives with alliance members.

While the ARNM lacks heavy conventional firepower or large-scale expeditionary capabilities, it maintains a stable national defense posture based on regional cooperation, civil-military readiness, and commitment to collective defense. The country’s strategic location in the central Balkans underlines its importance to Western security architecture, particularly in relation to Southeastern Europe.

Military Strengths

North Macedonia’s strengths lie in its NATO integration, training-focused doctrine, and civil-military readiness rather than numerical or technological superiority.

1. NATO Membership and Western Alignment

As a NATO member since 2020, North Macedonia benefits from security guarantees, joint exercises, and military funding initiatives.
ARNM units are trained for interoperability, peacekeeping, and support operations within the NATO framework.

2. Well-Trained Professional Core

Though limited in size, the military is volunteer-based with a strong emphasis on discipline, technical training, and logistics coordination.
Continuous improvement programs are supported by US, German, and Turkish military trainers.

3. Regional Stability Contribution

Active in Balkan defense dialogues, regional disaster cooperation, and joint border security with neighboring countries.
Contributes troops to multinational NATO and UN operations, including deployments to Kosovo (KFOR) and past EU missions.

4. Strategic Geography

Positioned in a corridor between Southern Europe and the Black Sea region, North Macedonia offers strategic depth to NATO and acts as a stabilizing buffer in the Balkans.

Why North Macedonia Is Still Ranked 144th

Very Limited Equipment and Combat Systems
ARNM possesses no main battle tanks, few armored vehicles, and relies heavily on light infantry and donated Western equipment for operational needs.
No Air Force or Air Defense Infrastructure
The country lacks combat aircraft, missile defense systems, or radar coverage suitable for independent aerial operations. Air defense is delegated to NATO’s integrated structure.
No Naval Forces
As a landlocked nation, North Macedonia has no navy, restricting military operations to land and airspace support roles.
Minimal Force Projection Capacity
The ARNM is not designed for independent long-range deployments, limiting its strategic footprint to multinational support missions.

Conclusion

North Macedonia operates a capable but compact military, geared toward internal security, sovereignty protection, and alliance-based missions. Its strength lies not in force volume or weapons systems but in its political integration with NATO, regional stability efforts, and interoperability focus. The country’s low MPR rank reflects its limited combat hardware, lack of strategic reach, and dependence on collective defense, but also acknowledges its rising professional standards and geopolitical relevance within the Western security framework.

Military Strength and Force Projection

Active Military Personnel: 8,000 (IISS 2023)
Reserve Personnel: 5,000 (CIA World Factbook)
Paramilitary Forces: 5,000 (National Guard, Border Police)
Army Personnel: 6,000
Navy Personnel: None (landlocked)
Air Force Personnel: 2,000

Ground Forces

Main Battle Tanks (MBTs): 30 (Older models)
Armored Fighting Vehicles (AFVs): 100+
Artillery (Towed and Self-Propelled): 40+

Air Force

Combat Aircraft: 5+
Helicopters: 10+
Transport Aircraft: 3+

Aircraft Breakdown:

Soviet-era MiG-21 Fighters: 3 (modernized)
Mi-8 Helicopters: 6+ (transport and utility)

Naval Forces

As a landlocked country, North Macedonia does not maintain a navy.

Missile Capabilities

North Macedonia does not possess advanced missile systems or nuclear capabilities. Its military is focused on conventional defense and contributing to regional peacekeeping missions.

Strategic Partnerships

As a member of NATO, North Macedonia receives substantial military support and training from NATO allies, particularly the United States and Western European countries. The country is also involved in joint exercises and operations under the NATO banner, contributing to regional security in the Balkans. North Macedonia plays an active role in peacekeeping missions, further strengthening its partnerships.

Military History & Combat Experience

North Macedonia’s military history is defined by post-Yugoslav restructuring, internal ethnic conflict, and multinational peacekeeping participation, rather than conventional state-on-state warfare.

Yugoslav Dissolution and Army Formation (1992–2001):
Following the peaceful withdrawal of the Yugoslav People’s Army, North Macedonia began building its own defense force, initially focused on border protection, territorial integrity, and civil support. The military inherited Soviet-style organization with minimal equipment.
2001 Ethnic Conflict (Insurgency in Macedonia):
Armed clashes erupted between the Ethnic Albanian NLA and government forces. The conflict involved rural skirmishes, ambushes, and urban firefights, primarily in Tetovo and Skopje outskirts. NATO helped mediate a ceasefire under the Ohrid Framework Agreement, ending the conflict and prompting defense reforms.
Post-2001 Military Reforms and NATO Integration:
ARNM underwent significant downsizing, professionalization, and alignment with NATO doctrine. Focus shifted to light mobility, peace support training, and multinational readiness.
Peacekeeping Deployments (2002–Present):
North Macedonia contributed forces to Iraq, Afghanistan (ISAF/Resolute Support), KFOR (Kosovo), and EU-led missions in Bosnia and Herzegovina. These operations enhanced the military’s logistics, command interoperability, and asymmetric threat readiness.
Joint Exercises and NATO War Games (2020s):
Since full NATO accession, North Macedonia has hosted and participated in joint drills, including Defender Europe and Balkan Sentinel, sharpening unit readiness in mountain warfare, communications, and combined arms planning.

Though lacking a legacy of conventional war experience, the ARNM has earned a reputation for professional discipline, strategic reliability, and integration with multinational operations, reflecting its role as a niche support contributor within the alliance structure.

General Information

Demographics and Geography

Population: ~2.07 million (2024 est.)
Population Available for Military Service: ~890,000
Geographic Area: 25,713 km²
Land Boundaries: 766 km
Bordering Countries: Albania, Bulgaria, Greece, Kosovo, Serbia
Coastline: 0 km (landlocked)
Climate: Warm, dry summers and relatively cold winters; continental and Mediterranean influences
Terrain: Predominantly mountainous with deep basins and valleys; three large lakes
Natural Resources: Chromium, lead, zinc, manganese, nickel, iron ore
Proven Oil Reserves: None
Proven Natural Gas Reserves: None

Economic Indicators

Defense Budget (2025): ~$240 million USD
Defense Budget as % of GDP: ~1.5%
GDP (PPP): ~$44 billion USD
GDP per Capita (PPP): ~$21,400
External Debt: ~$9.5 billion USD
Military Expenditure Trend (last 5 years): Moderate increase aligned with NATO modernization goals

Military Infrastructure and Readiness

Military Service Obligation: Voluntary (professional force)
Primary Defense Focus: Territorial defense, NATO interoperability, regional stability
Military Industry Base: Limited; reliant on imports and NATO-standard procurement
Cyber/Electronic Warfare Capability: Developing; aligned with NATO standards
Nuclear Warhead Inventory: None (non-nuclear state)
Major Military Districts / Commands: Army of the Republic of North Macedonia (ARM) divided into operational and support commands
Missile Inventory Highlights: MANPADS, anti-tank guided missiles
Reservist Call-up Readiness / Timeline: Moderate; 30–60 days
Reservist Force Size: ~8,000

Space, Intelligence, and Strategic Infrastructure

Space or Satellite Programs: None
Military Satellite Inventory: None
Intelligence Infrastructure: Military Intelligence Service (MIS), Security and Counterintelligence Directorate (UBK)
Intelligence Sharing Partnerships: NATO, EU, bilateral agreements with regional partners
Airports (Total): ~17
Major Military Airports: Skopje International (dual-use), Petrovec Air Base

Naval Power and Maritime Logistics

Merchant Marine Fleet: None
Major Ports: None
Naval Infrastructure: Not applicable
Naval Replenishment Capability: Not applicable

Domestic Mobility and Infrastructure

Railway Network: ~700 km
Roadways: ~14,000 km

Energy and Fuel Logistics

Oil Production: None
Energy Imports: High reliance on imported fuel and electricity
Strategic Petroleum Reserves: Minimal

Defense Production and Strategic Forces

Domestic Defense Production: Limited small arms and ammunition manufacturing
Military Installations (Domestic): Skopje, Kumanovo, Krivolak
Military Installations (Overseas): None
Foreign Military Personnel Presence: NATO trainers and advisors
Defense Alliances: NATO (full member since 2020)
Strategic Airlift Capability: Limited; reliant on NATO pooled resources
Wartime Industrial Surge Capacity: Low