Air Force of North Macedonia
The North Macedonia Air Force, officially known as the Macedonian Air Force, is the aerial warfare branch of the Armed Forces of North Macedonia. It was established in 1992, following the declaration of independence of the Republic of Macedonia. The primary objective of the Air Force is to protect the country's airspace and contribute to the overall defense of North Macedonia. The Air Force operates a small fleet of military aircraft, including transport, utility, and training aircraft. The backbone of its fleet consists of helicopters, which play a crucial role in various missions, such as search and rescue, medical evacuation, and transportation. The Air Force also maintains a limited number of fixed-wing aircraft for surveillance and training purposes. Over the years, the North Macedonia Air Force has gone through modernization efforts to upgrade its capabilities and enhance interoperability with NATO partners. In addition to its defense responsibilities, the Air Force occasionally participates in international exercises and contributes to international peacekeeping missions.
Key facts
| Official Name | Air Force of North Macedonia |
| Local Name | Воздухопловни сили на Армијата на Република Северна Македонија (Vozduhoplovni sili na Armijata na Republika Severna Makedonija) |
| Country | 🇲🇰 North Macedonia |
| World rank | #120 |
| Active aircrafts | 20 (as of 2024) |
| Aircrafts on order | 0 |
| Roundel |
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Number of active aircrafts by type
| Aircraft type | Active | |
|---|---|---|
| Training | 10 | |
| Helicopters | 10 | |
Aircrafts most used by North Macedonian air forces
| Aircraft | Active | Type | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mi-8 Hip | 6 | Soviet multipurpose helicopter, prevalent during the Cold War, extensively utilized for transport, combat and humanitarian operations globally. | |
| Z 42 | 5 | Czech training aircraft, introduced in the late 20th century, extensively utilized for flight instruction and aerobatics worldwide. | |
| 206 JetRanger | 4 | American light helicopter, well known for civilian, military, emergency medical services, and offshore oil support roles since the 1960s. | |
| Mi-24 Hind | 4 | Soviet attack helicopter, renowned for Cold War use, predominantly deployed for airborne assault, close combat, and anti-armour roles. | |
| Z 43 | 1 | Czech training aircraft, primarily used for general aviation and flight training since the late 20th century. | |
Full inventory in 2024
Army of the Republic of North Macedonia
| Aircraft Type | Model | Active | Ordered |
|---|---|---|---|
| Helicopters | Mi-8/17 | ||
| Mi-24 | |||
| Training | Zlin 242 | ||
| Bell 206 | |||
| Zlin 143 |