GM 200 radar does not provide complete protection. Moldova needs additional equipment, Defense Minister
The GM 200 radar does not provide complete protection for the Republic of Moldova, according to Defense Minister Anatolie Nosatîi. He emphasized that the country needs additional equipment due to ongoing airspace violations, and the current capabilities, including the Ground Master 200 radar, are insufficient. In an interview with IPN, Nosatîi stated that Moldova requires further investments to address challenges, particularly those arising from the war in Ukraine.
"The GM 200 radar is effective, but it has a medium range. Budget constraints prevent us from acquiring long-range systems or equipment that can detect smaller targets, such as drones," Nosatîi explained.
In light of the situation in Ukraine, the defense minister noted that while an immediate military threat to Moldova is unlikely due to the distance from the front lines, regional tensions remain high.
He commended the courage and sacrifice of the Ukrainian army and people in defending their sovereignty, independence, and future.
"The illegal presence of Russian armed forces in territories not controlled by the Moldovan government poses a security threat and exposes vulnerabilities in our national defense system. Therefore, the Government in Chisinau is committed to investing in national defense," Nosatîi stated.
The GM 200 radar, purchased from France in 2023, is operational for monitoring airspace. However, it cannot cover the entire territory of Moldova. Recent incidents, including drone crashes in localities such as Căușeni, Criuleni, Râșcani, and Orhei, have underscored the need for more advanced and numerous systems.
Nosatîi also acknowledged that the drones used by Russia in attacks against Ukraine pose a genuine risk, but he did not specify how effective the GM 200 radar has been in detecting them. He urged citizens to treat these incidents with seriousness. The radar, known as GM200, is a mobile system capable of detecting aerial targets like fighter jets, missiles, helicopters, and drones at altitudes of up to 24 kilometers within a radius of 250 square kilometers.
Critics argue that the radar does not meet the current security needs of Moldova, especially given the volatile regional context. In a separate announcement, the Customs Service of the Republic of Moldova reported technical issues with some of its IT systems, resulting in manual processing of individual crossings. Furthermore, the processing of customs declarations at certain posts has been temporarily suspended. The Customs Service is actively working to resolve these technical problems and will provide updates as the issues are addressed.
