COVID 19 impacts on defense capabilities development

COVID 19 severely disrupted our way of life and caused social and economic dysfunction. Many spheres of social life as the geopolitical, economic, security, defense, socio-humanitarian, psychological, communication, health and other has influenced by COVID 19. Many countries, including North Macedonia, were forced to adjust the economy growth. The consequences for the economy growth will be felt not only in 2020 but also in beyond. The adjustments in the GDP have reflected on the defense expenditures of the countries. The reduction of defense expenditures mostly has reflected on the development of defense capabilities. The realization of the equipment projects was postponed. Any further delay in the equipment projects will seriously affect the further development of the state defense capabilities, and may disrupt the readiness of the Armed Forces of Republic of North Macedonia. The pandemic has tested the country’s resilience in dealing with security threats, and contingency plans. The magnitude of the pandemic underscored the importance and utility not only of national capacities and capabilities engagement, but also of the solidarity that the Alliance has demonstrated in action through its civil emergency response mechanisms. Additionally, the utility of the defense capacities and the Armed Forces in support of the civilian authorities in a crisis situation or state of emergency caused by endangering the health of the population comes to the surface. Although no one can say for sure when the pandemic will end, however, we must learn from the past and the experiences gained from dealing with COVID 19. What we need to do in the near future is to establish more precise mechanisms, tools and procedures for the possible use of national capacities and capabilities in dealing with similar situations. Therefore, it is very important for the North Macedonia to adhere to the obligations and guidelines of the Alliance for investment of 2% of GDP in defense, of which at least 20% to be allocated for the development of new military capabilities