Krivolak to host largest ever military exercise held in North Macedonia
Krivolak, 6 May 2022 (MIA) – North Macedonia this weekend will host Swift Response 22, a complex military exercise that includes 4,600 troops from eight countries, including North Macedonia, the Unites States, the United Kingdom, Italy, France, Montenegro, Albania and Greece. Taking place at Krivolak Training Area, it is considered the largest exercise to have taken place in the country.
Defense Minister Slavjanka Petrovska said Friday that it is a great honor for the Defense Ministry and the Army to host the military exercise.
It has two aspects, she said after a briefing in which the goals of the participants in the international exercise were presented.
“Firstly, the preparedness of our Macedonian army to take place in complex exercises alongside its allies to showcase its level of operability and cooperation in NATO. Secondly, it will demonstrate the capacity of the Krivolak training center,” Petrovska said.
The Minister announced that an open day will take place on Sunday at Skopje’s Stenkovec airport, where all aircrafts taking part in the exercise will be showcased, including 22 fighter planes and cargo military planes as well as 23 helicopters. A day for VIP guests will be held on May 12.
Speaking alongside Minister Petrovska, British Ambassador Rachel Galloway said Swift Response is an exercise of the allied airborne landing forces as part of a wider series of exercises taking place in Eastern Europe.
According to her, the exercise will demonstrate the collective preparedness and transatlantic connection making NATO the strongest alliance in modern history.
The United Kingdom, she revealed, will be represented by 1,800 paratroopers from the 16th Air Assault Brigade Combat Team.
“The United Kingdom is a close ally of North Macedonia and you can rely on our support as NATO ally. Our armies have been closely cooperating,” Galloway said adding that investments in defence capacities should be made.
According to Brigadier General Joseph Hilbert, Swift Response 22 is key for the command of the US Army Europe and Africa as well as for all NATO forces to demonstrate the interoperability of the allies.
