Former North Macedonian attack helicopters to Ukraine

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) of North Macedonia worked out plans to transfer their fleet of Mi-24 Hind attack helicopters to Ukraine. These plans will be discussed by the government coming Wednesday, 29 March 2023.

According to the Minister of Defence, Slavyanka Petrovskaya, the transfer of the helicopters will not affect the combat capability of the Armed Forces.

The North Macedonian Air Force has twelve Mi-24s in its inventory, of which four are reported to be active, although they have not been seen active for two to three years. These four have been upgraded by Elbit Systems in 2008 and have received a modern navigation systems and new avionics that allow the use of Night Vision Goggles (NVG). The remainder have already been withdrawn from use since 2006 and are stored in the open at Petrovec air base. North Macedonia bought the attack helicopters from Ukraine back in 2001.

On 23 March 2023, Scramble Magazine first reported on the donation of four Sukhoi Su-25 Frogfoot (ground) attack aircraft to Ukraine.

According to Slavyanka Petrovskaya, North Macedonia will acquire eight new multi-purpose helicopters. No further details were given on the type and timelines. It might be that North Macedonia will be compensated for the donation of the Mi-24s en the Su-25s.

Photo by Bram Marijnissen (Scramble Archive)