North Macedonia agrees to transfer Mi-24 attack helicopters to Ukraine
31 March, 2023 Mi-24 helicopter of the Army of North Macedonia. Photo from open sources The government of North Macedonia has officially agreed to transfer Mi-24 attack helicopters to Ukraine.
The relevant decision was taken by the country's government at a meeting on March 29. Earlier, the head of the Macedonian Defense Department made an announcement about the transfer of these attack helicopters. "The government considered and approved the information on the need to adopt a Protocol on the gratuitous transfer of aircraft (helicopters) between the Ministry of Defense of North Macedonia and the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, and decided on the gratuitous transfer of helicopters," the government said.
The decision does not specify the type of helicopters that will be transferred, but previously the Minister of Defense of North Macedonia, Slavjanka Petrovska, said that it regarded Mi-24 helicopters.
Mi-24 helicopter of the Air Force of North Macedonia. Photo from open sources
These will be 12 Mi-24s that the country bought from Ukraine in 2001. Some of them have not been in service for some time.
According to specialized mass media, six Mi-24 helicopters have underwent modernization, completed in cooperation with the Elbit Systems company. They have received new avionics that allow the use of night vision goggles. A modern navigation system, infrared lighting, and "other minor upgrades" have also been added.
Currently, North Macedonia operates only two such Mi-24s.
Mi-24 helicopter of the Air Force of North Macedonia. Photo from open sources
As previously reported, according to the media of North Macedonia, Kyiv has submitted a request to Skopje for attack helicopters. Subsequently, the General Staff of the Army of the Republic of North Macedonia worked on the proposal.
Slavjanka Petrovska has also reported that the country will purchase new multi-purpose helicopters, namely 8 units of equipment.
So far, the country has received five offers from different states and companies.
It is assumed that the helicopters that North Macedonia will purchase are to be used in the defense sector, as well as involved in rescue operations of the civilian population.