EU Funding Enables Moldova's Radar Purchase Amid Security Risks
Moldova will possess a new radar for monitoring airspace. The Ministry of Defense announces the signing of the contract for its acquisition.
According to the cited source, the acquisition is made with the financial assistance of the European Union, through the European Instrument for Peace program.
"In this manner, the Minister of Defense, Anatolie Nosatîi, expressed gratitude to EU partners who contribute, through constant assistance, to achieving national defence capacity-building objectives, mentioning that such projects will continue for the benefit of the citizens of the Republic of Moldova," stated the Ministry of Defense.
Earlier, Nosatîi stated in an interview on Pro TV that this radar costs approximately 20 million euros and is expected to arrive in our country by the end of this year.
According to security expert Artur Leșcu, these radars cannot destroy objects entering our country's airspace, but they can alert us to approaching danger.
"Unfortunately, Moldova, like other militarily prepared countries, does not shoot down drones or other objects entering airspace if there is no clear intention to cause harm. This has occurred in Poland, and in Romania as well. Objects have entered the territory of countries but have not been shot down. The most important thing is for us to be prepared, to recognize the danger, that within half an hour, 15 minutes, there is a probability that a foreign object will enter Moldovan airspace. People should be prepared and know where shelters are. Even if we are not the target, that doesn't mean we are not at risk. The laws of physics cannot be defied by anyone," Artur Leșcu explained on Moldova 1.
Earlier, Minister of Defense Anatolie Nosatîi stated that an anti-aircraft defence system cannot be purchased by our country because it costs more than the budget of the Ministry of Defense can provide. The official specified that financial resources are directed towards other programs to strengthen the country's defence capacity.
"There are significant figures that currently the budget of the Republic of Moldova cannot cover. The budget of the Ministry of Defense is less than two billion, which would amount to approximately 100 million euros. A system like this, with a range of 20 to 30 km, would exceed the budget of the National Army for a year," Anatolie Nosatîi mentioned this in an interview on TV8.
At the end of last year, the Republic of Moldova acquired from France the first modern radar, manufactured by a French company and purchased from the state budget. It cost approximately 14 million euros.
Since the beginning of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, several instances have been recorded where Russian drones or rockets have flown over the airspace of the Republic of Moldova. Additionally, remnants of downed projectiles have been detected in our country, some with explosive charges.
The most recent case occurred on Thursday, April 4, when new drone fragments were detected by border police near the village of Etulia-Vlădiceni, Vulcănești district. The drone's wing was inscribed with "Герань-2". These drones are manufactured in the Russian Federation and can carry explosives weighing up to 45 kg.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
