Air Force of North Macedonia

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#143
Active aircraft20 as of 2026
Aircraft on order8
Roundel

Roundel of North Macedonia air force

Global Air Force Index

1.4
Global Rank: #143 / 161
The Global Air Force Index measures Air Force of North Macedonia's overall air power capability on a 0-100 scale, based on fleet composition and combat effectiveness.
💥 Strategic Bombers 0 Nuclear-capable strike aircraft (highest weight)
✈️ Combat Aircraft 0 Fighters, multirole & attack aircraft
🚁 Helicopters 14 Attack, transport & utility rotorcraft
🛫 Transport 0 Strategic & tactical airlift
📊 Total Active 20 All aircraft types

Methodology: Square root scaled index weighted by aircraft combat capability. Strategic bombers score highest due to nuclear strike capability.

Aircraft by type in 2026

Aircraft type Active
Helicopter Helicopter 14
Training Training 6

Origin countries of aircraft

Country Active Aircraft
🇨🇳 Ex-USSR 10
🇨🇿 Czech Republic 6
🇺🇸 United States 4
🇬🇧 United Kingdom 0
🇮🇹 Italy 0

Evolution of North Macedonian Air Force fleet

Overview

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.

Full inventory in 2026

Army of the Republic of North Macedonia

Aircraft Type Model Origin Country Model Year Active 𝚫 YoY Ordered
HelicopterHelicopter Mi-8/17 🇨🇳 1967 6
0
0
HelicopterHelicopter Bell 206 🇺🇸 1967 4
0
0
HelicopterHelicopter Mi-24 🇨🇳 1972 4
0
0
HelicopterHelicopter AW149 🇬🇧 🇮🇹 2014 0
0
4
TrainingTraining Zlin 242 🇨🇿 1970 5
0
0
TrainingTraining Zlin 143 🇨🇿 1972 1
0
0
TrainingTraining AW169M 🇬🇧 🇮🇹 2015 0
0
4

Frequently Asked Questions

How many aircraft does North Macedonia have?
Air Force of North Macedonia operates 20 active military aircraft as of the current year. Additionally, 8 aircraft are currently on order.
How does North Macedonia's air force rank globally?
Air Force of North Macedonia ranks #143 out of 161 air forces worldwide based on the Global Air Force Index, which measures overall air power capability considering fleet size and combat effectiveness.
How many military helicopters does North Macedonia have?
Air Force of North Macedonia operates 14 military helicopters, including attack, transport, and utility rotorcraft used for various combat and support missions.
What is the Air Force Index of North Macedonia?
North Macedonia has an Air Force Index score of 1.4 out of 100. This composite score measures overall air power capability, with strategic bombers weighted highest due to their nuclear strike potential, followed by combat aircraft, helicopters, and transport planes.
Where does North Macedonia get its military aircraft from?
North Macedonia sources its military aircraft primarily from Ex-USSR, Czech Republic, and United States. The fleet composition reflects both domestic production capabilities and international defense partnerships.
Various public data, including Wikipedia, Flightglobal.com, SIPRI Arms Transfer and official government websites.
Last updated on 1 January 2025. Suggest a change