37
(Continued from Page 35)
UPGRADE PROGRAMS
Elbit does more than helicopter simulators in North Macedonia. They also started modernization programs for the Mi-24 and Mi-17. In December 2003 the North Macedonian government awarded Elbit a $2 million(US) contract to upgrade two Mi-17 and two Mi-24V helicopters. The helicopters have been upgraded with the Aviators Night Vision Head-Up Display (ANVIS/HUD) System, a helmet-mounted display. By equipping its aircraft with this system, the North Macedonian Air Force became one of the very few operators of night-operation Mi-24 helicopters worldwide, even before NATO-member countries Poland, the Czech Republic, Hungary, and Bulgaria.
All four aircraft involved in this modernization are now operational and have redesigned cockpit layout, adapted for night vision goggle (NVG) operations, and are also equipped with ANVIS/HUD System.
According to Colonel Malezanski, there will be a second stage of upgrade for the two North Macedonian Mi-17s that were involved in the first stage: “The second level will include an ILS (Instrument Landing System), a moving map, a mission computer with multifunctional displays and a new type of radio for communication.” The new Talon radios and secure communications are also important as North Macedonia has ambitions of joining NATO, but would first have to adopt NATO standards for communications. There are also plans to equip the helicopters with chaff and flares, as they are now lacking countermeasures.
THE FUTURE
Unfortunately, for now NATO membership is not in sight. North Macedonia's budget for the entire ARM was just over 91.5 million Euro. While this may seem impressive, it’s just 1.09% of the North Macedonian GDP, and NATO requires members to spend at least 2% of their GDP on defense. Budgets are a persistent issue for the air brigade. The current transport fleet is estimated to be able to operate for 7 more years in its current condition. After that, it will be hard to conduct maintenance, and fresh replacements will be badly needed. Until then, there are a lot of uncertainties, but one thing is certain - the men and women of North Macedonian Air Force will soldier on and make the best of the resources at their disposal.