North Macedonia has ordered three batteries with a total of 18 “Boran” howitzers from Turkey, as part of the North Macedonian Army rearming its artillery divisions. The first battery of six Boran howitzers will arrive in two years, while the remaining two batteries will be delivered in the period from 2029 to 2031. North Macedonia currently has one light infantry battalion with reinforcements, including a battery of outdated M2A1 howitzers for some tasks within NATO and international missions. North Macedonia, the youngest member of NATO, became part of the alliance in March 2020, after Greece blocked it for years due to its former name, Macedonia.
The Army of the Republic of North Macedonia is a defense force consisting of an army and air force. Since 2005, it is a fully professional defense force compatible with NATO standards. The Army of North Macedonia is undergoing a major modernization drive. Through United State and German military assistance, it is re-arming itself with new combat systems from technology, largely a legacy of the Cold War acquired from Ukraine in 2001. For the infantry they will acquire GDLS Stryker armored fighting vehicles and Oshkosh JLTV. For air defense they will acquire French MBDA Mistral 3 infrared homing short range air defense system.
The Boran (Thunderstorm) 105mm Air Transportable Light Towed Howitzer (ATLTH) is designed in line with the demands of the Turkish Ministry of National Defense. For the 105mm Boran Howitzer Project, Makine Kimya Endustri Kurumu is developing the weapon system and Aselsan is developing the fire control system. The howitzer is taking aim at the international light howitzer market currently dominated by the BAE Systems’ M777. The 1,720-kilogram (3,792 pounds) light towed howitzer is consonant with Sikorsky S-70 and Chinook CH-47 helicopters. The system aims to meet needs of the Turkish Armed Forces commandos and infantry troops to perform air raid operations.
The Boran 105 mm features a bow type carriage, and fires 105 mm/30 calibre ordnance. It has a variable recoil system that varies from 800 mm (short) to 120 mm (long), and the barrel is provided with a muzzle brake. The Boran was made ready in a short time and it has a range of 17 kilometers (11 miles). The system provides digital integration of howitzer to command control systems and fire support elements. The howitzer, which automatically directs itself to the target with the data entered into the fire control system, can be used by the gunner from both the right and the left.
