March 29 (SeeNews) - North Macedonia's defence ministry said it has signed a deal to buy eight multipurpose helicopters of the Augusta 149 and Augusta 169 types from Italy's Leonardo.
Under the contract terms, the helicopters will be delivered between 2026 and 2028, along with a comprehensive logistics support package including equipment, spare parts, training, and infrastructure construction, North Macedonia's defence ministry said in a statement earlier this week.
The value of the procurement was not disclosed.
North Macedonia's 2024 defense budget exceeds 2% of the GDP, totaling 2.05%, or around 327 million euro ($352.5 million), according to an earlier statement by the government. One-third is allocated for army modernisation, meeting NATO's criteria of 2% GDP for defense and at least 20% for modernisation.
North Macedonia joined NATO in 2020.
($ = 0.928 euro)