Nikolay Makarov was born on 7 October 1949 in Glebovo, Ryazan region. He graduated from Moscow Combined Arms Command School and assumed command over a platoon (later, company and battalion) with the Group of Soviet Forces in Germany.

In 1979, he earned a degree at Frunze Military Academy and reported to the then Baikal Military District as deputy regiment commander, deputy division commander, motorized rifle division commander.

In 1993, Mr. Makarov graduated from the General Staff Academy and was appointed as chief of staff, Russian Joint Force Tadzhikistan, and later was assigned to Volga Military District as chief of staff for an independent army.

In January 1998, he took up the post as land and seashore force commander at the Baltic Fleet.

In September 1999, Nikolay Makarov assumed the duties as first deputy commander, Moscow M.D.

On 25 December, 2002, Mr. Makarov was appointed as Commander Sibirian Military District, one of the largest task force location areas spanning across a total of 30% of the country's territory, 16 constituent entities of the Russian Federation populated with over 20 mln people.

On 8 May 2005, President of the Russian Federation promoted Nikolay Makarov to his present rank of General of the Army.

In April 2007 he was appointed as Chief of the Аrmament for the Russian Armed Forces, Deputy Minister of Defence.

In June 2008 Nikolay Makarov was delegated the powers and responsibilities of Chief of the General Staff, First Deputy Minister of Defence.