Republic of Moldova's military in need of modernization, experts say
The Republic of Moldova's military is among the weakest in the world, experts say, despite the country's recent increase in defence spending.
In an interview with Radio Moldova, former Defense Minister Valeriu Troenco said that the country's military is in need of modernization. He estimated that a tank costs around $4 million and an anti-tank missile up to €450,000.
"We are at the bottom of the military statistics," Troenco said. "We are an army that practically exists more formally without the necessary equipment. The Transnistrian region is better equipped than us, better paid than us. We must build a structure according to our possibilities. There are limits to this question. We must organise an army that would meet international standards - small and well-equipped with all types of weapons necessary to combat infantry, armoured vehicles, air systems, drones."
According to a study by Global FirePower, the Republic of Moldova ranks 143 out of 145 countries in the world military power ranking for 2023. The country has only 6,000 active military personnel and 12,000 reservists. The National Army has 505 armoured vehicles and four aircraft, three of which are transport aircraft and two are helicopters.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
