Army of the Republic of Macedonia The Army of the Republic of Macedonia ( ) is the name of the unified armed forces of the Republic of Macedonia . The Macedonian military is a defence force consisting of an " army " ( Армија , " Armija " ) ; an " air force " ( Воено Воздухопловство , " Voeno vozduhoplovstvo " ) ; and a professional military unit , the Macedonian Special Forces ( Волци , " Volci " ) . Objectives . The national defence policy aims to guarantee : Its main interests remain the development and maintenance of a credible capability to defend the nation ' s vital interests and development of the Macedonia Army in such a way that ensures their interoperability with the armed forces of NATO and the European Union member states and their capability to participate in the full range of Alliance missions . Conscription . The Republic of Macedonia abolished the compulsory military service as of October 2006 . The Macedonian Army is the first in the region to consist fully of professional soldiers . Engagements . Insurgency in the Republic of Macedonia . The Army was heavily involved in trying to maintain order when the ethnic Albanian National Liberation Army ( NLA ) militant group attacked the security forces of the Republic of Macedonia at the beginning of January 2001 . The conflict lasted throughout most of the year , although overall casualties remained limited to several dozen for either side , according to the sources from both of the sides in the conflict . The conflict was resolved by the adoption of the Ohrid Framework agreement in August 2001 . War in Afghanistan . The Republic of Macedonia has deployed 244 troops to Afghanistan as part of the NATO - led International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan . On 13 September 2011 , Macedonian forces were filmed fighting alongside U . S troops as they successfully repelled a Taliban attack on the ISAF headquarters in Kabul . Organization . The primary arm of the military in the Republic of Macedonia is the Army of the Republic of Macedonia ( ARM ) . The ARM is commanded by the Minister of Defense through the Chief of the General Staff ( CGS ) of the ARM . Two Deputy CGS positions include the Deputy CGS for planning , operations and readiness , under whom operates the General Staff of the ARM , and the Deputy CGS for civil - military cooperation . Macedonian Ground Force . It plays the key role in securing the safety and unity of the territory of the Macedonian republic . The army is divided into the rapid reaction force and strategic reserve forces . The rapid reaction forces represent the main active combat capability of the military and consist of the 1st Brigade . The strategic reserve forces provide reserve brigades that can be called up in times of emergency . Macedonian Aviation Brigade . Macedonian Air Force and Air Defence has an important role as air support element of ground forces and in enhancing flight safety . One of the main goals of the air force is to build up an air surveillance system , which will be the cornerstone of the air traffic safety and airspace control . The air component is made up by the Aviation Forces and the Air Defense Forces . It is located in " Alexander the Great " Airport ( near Skopje ) . Special Operations Regiment . Special Operations Regiment , is the main command for Special Units of the Army of Republic of Macedonia . Under the command of Special Operations Regiment are Ranger Battalion , as well as the Special Force Battalion " Wolves " . March 1 , 1994 - for the first time in the Macedonian Army was formed Special Forces Unit known as " Wolves " . Mission of Special Operations Regiment Provides fully organized , trained and equipped units to perform special operations and conventional specific operations , independently or in cooperation with other units of the Army and other coalition forces , in all weather and land conditions during peace , crisis and war support peace and conflict prevention as part of overall efforts to support internal security and foreign policy of the Republic of Macedonia . Missions outside the Republic of Macedonia Received award : Command for Training and Doctrines . Command for Training and Doctrines Organization , coordination and dimensional task of training the individual soldiers , cadets , NCOs and officers of the active and reserve forces , support collective training commands and units of the Army of the Republic and the development of doctrine and lessons learned in the Army of Republic of Macedonia . In particular for meeting NATO requirements . In order to improve the quality of training of the Army in 1996 , were established several centers for basic and specialized training of individual soldiers , and collective training was done in the units . Centers were established to train : infantry , artillery , logistics , border guards , military police and reconnaissance . Brigade for Logistics Support . Formed in 2001 , the Logistics Command oversees all combat service support operations , and controls the Land Forces Logistic Bas and the Military Hospital . Mission : Planning , organizing , coordinating and executing logistical support to commands and units of the Army of the Republic of Macedonia , of level II and III . Tasks : 1 . Planning , organizing , coordinating and executing logistical support in the following functional areas : 2 . Management with materials of all classes of supply for the commands and units of the Army 3 . Storage and maintenance of material supplies for ARM according to specified criteria 4 . Strengthening the logistics capacity of the Army in conducting training , work in field conditions , combat engagement and participation in missions 5 . Coordinating support of allied forces in transit or maintain in the territory of the Republic of Macedonia 6 . Execution of logistical support for the administrative bodies and bodies of local self - governments , organizations , associations , etc . ( in special circumstances and for special orders and instructions ) Other commands . Other commands under the CGS include ELINT Center and the Honor Guard Unit . Artillery . Mortars - 700 total , ex - JNA , Type - 60mm M57 ; 81 / 82mm M37 ; 81 / 82mm M69 ; 120mm M43 . Small arms . Retired Equipment . T - 34 / 85 x4 Inherited from JNA , turned into museum pieces . < br > BRDM - 2 x10 Retired . < br > T - 55A x94 Military aid from Bulgaria , retired . < br > BTR - 60P x31 Retired .