Anti-aircraft missile launchers for the Republic of Moldova. EU will approve largest lethal military support
On April 9, the EU will green-light the bloc's biggest-ever lethal military aid package to the Republic of Moldova, worth 20 million euros. According to the proposal, seen by Radio Free Europe, the money will cover eight short-range air-defense systems consisting of about eight launchers and approximately 24 missiles.
The implementation will be carried out by the Estonian Center for Defense Investments, which supplied Chisinau with equipment last year as well.
This new support comes on top of another recently approved package worth 40 million euros for the purchase of high-mobility tactical vehicles and the integration of air defence systems. Together, the two packages bring the total amount of military aid provided to Moldova through the European Peace Facility to 197 million euros from 2021 to the present.
Under the document, the assistance aims to modernize the defense capabilities of the Republic of Moldova, by replacing outdated Soviet equipment and aligning it with European Union standards, in the context in which the country aspires to officially start accession negotiations in the coming months.
We remind you that the Republic of Moldova currently has only one modern air surveillance radar – the Ground Master 200, purchased from France at the end of 2023. The equipment, manufactured by a French company and purchased from the state budget, cost approximately 14 million euros. It is the first modern radar system in the National Army's arsenal and is capable of detecting air targets at a range of up to 250 km.
However, the authorities admit that the existing equipment is not enough to fully protect the country's airspace. In an interview, Defense Minister Anatolie Nosatîi stated that additional investments are needed to strengthen air defense, especially in the context of the military conflict in Ukraine.
Since the beginning of the Russian invasion, Moldova's airspace was crossed by Russian drones or missiles, and fragments of projectiles were discovered in several localities in the north and south of the country - some with explosive charges.
