ARM Chief of General Staff Lt. Gen. Metodija Velichkovski briefed the President of the Republic of Macedonia and the Supreme Commander of Macedonian Armed Forces, Dr. Gjorgje Ivanov on 2017ARM combat readiness, which is a regular and legal obligation.
At the ARM combat readiness briefing, which was attended by the Defence Minister Radmila Shekerinska, the generals of ARM General Staff, representatives of the President’s Cabinet, ARM CHOD presented last year’s realization of ARM plans and assignments, factors and elements that influence ARM combat readiness, as well as proposals and measures for improving the combat readiness in 2018.
Based on a thorough and objective analysis which was conducted by the GS in 2017, the briefing included ARM key functional areas that affect combat readiness such as personnel management, morale, operations, training and exercises, logistics, planning, signals and communications, budgeting and civil-military cooperation.
ARM Chief of General Staff emphasized the key assignments and projects that marked the jubilee year for ARM, such as successful NATO re-evaluation of the largest declared unit of ARM – middle battalion group, successful assignments completion in international missions abroad, institutional assistance and rescue during natural disasters, assistance of the border police in securing the state border and enhanced regional and international inter-army cooperation.
The priorities and measures that should be undertaken in 2018 were pointed out, which is expected to be the most successful year for ARM in terms of strengthening and raising the level of combat readiness including morale of ARM servicemen. The priorities which were indicated included, regular enlargement of personnel, improvement, maintenance of technical equipment and working conditions, preparation of strategic defense documents, adjustment of training according to current security challenges and NATO requirements, prioritization to modernize ARM capacities and capabilities, and more effective ARM funding according to actual needs.
Conclusion drawn from the briefing was that last year, despite the objective difficulties and limited resources availability, ARM combat readiness was at the required level and they accomplished their mission and assigned tasks successfully, due to the great efforts and commitment of the personnel.
At the end of the briefing, the President of the Republic of Macedonia Dr. Gjorgje Ivanov promoted Brigadier General Zoran Mileski to Major General, who has been Commander of Joint Operations Command since November 2016.
