Joint military exercises are currently underway over Macedonia, featuring participation from the Italian Eurofighter contingent alongside Greek F-16 fighters. These combined activities are taking place amidst heightened operational readiness related to “Attack on Neptune.” The multinational effort is being coordinated by the NATO Strike and Support Force (NEST), an initiative designed to enhance the pace of NATO integration and bolster collective defense capabilities across the region. The local defense structure is represented by the Air Brigade of the Republic of North Macedonia’s Army.
At the national level, this Air Brigade is primarily tasked with establishing and maintaining airspace surveillance, providing low-altitude air defense using systems such as the 9K35 Strela-10, and supporting pursuit and transport operations. Notably, the Macedonian Army’s air assets consist mainly of helicopters, including the Mi-17, and training aircraft, rather than fixed-wing combat fighters. The integration of these diverse capabilities underscores a commitment to interoperability within the NATO framework.
The presence of the Italian forces, alongside other allied assets, demonstrates a concerted effort to solidify regional security architecture. Through these joint drills in Macedonia, participating nations are practicing coordinated responses, thereby strengthening the operational readiness and mutual defense posture of the alliance in the face of evolving security challenges.
Topics: #macedonia #nato #italian
