Moldova boosts air security, gets first air defense
The first air defense systems will arrive in the Republic of Moldova next year, President Maia Sandu announced on a TV8 show.
She emphasized that the country's airspace remains vulnerable, especially given that, over the past three years of war in Ukraine, several Russian drones have fallen on its territory.
Maia Sandu mentioned that for 30 years nothing has been done to protect our skies, and the new systems acquired with support from the European Union and other states will help us strengthen our resilience.
"Unfortunately, for 30 years nothing has been done. On the one hand, one can understand, because no one believed there would be war, but, on the other hand, every minister of defense and prime minister should have at least considered the need for equipment to understand what is flying over their country. And when I came into the office, there was nothing. So, first we acquired these radars to understand what is happening in our skies. And now, as the next step, the government is acquiring equipment to protect the airspace. These systems are expensive, but we will receive external support to acquire them."
The Republic of Moldova will most likely receive air defense systems as non-reimbursable aid, Defense Minister Anatolie Nosatîi stated in April. The systems will be tasked with intercepting and destroying objects that illegally enter the airspace of the Republic of Moldova. The Minister dismissed rumors that the Government would take out loans to purchase this equipment.
Security analysts assess that the support provided by the European Union is essential for strengthening the defense capabilities of the Republic of Moldova. They emphasize that it is not about the militarization of the country, but about a legitimate protective measure in the face of increasingly frequent risks to air security.
The assistance aims to replace outdated Soviet equipment and align the Moldovan armed forces with European standards. Currently, the Republic of Moldova possesses only one modern radar – the Ground Master 200, acquired from France in 2023.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
