The Minister of Defense, Ionuț Mosteanu, said that Romania can reach a budget of 3.5% of GDP for defense, respecting its commitments to NATO allies.
Defense Minister Ionuț Mosteanu Photo: Inquam Photos / Octav Ganea
The Minister of Defense, Ionuț Moșteanu, said on Wednesday night, in the show “Prim Plan” from TVR Info, that Romania is on a good road to reach the target of 3.5% of GDP allocated to the defense and that this objective must be respected, both to strengthen the army and to strengthen the country’s resistance.
Romania’s commitment to NATO and the defense investment plan
At the NATO summit in The Hague, held at the end of last month, the defense ministers discussed the commitments, as well as the new investment plan that aims to increase the defense expenses up to 5% of GDP by 2035. At the same time, measures have been established to generate the necessary forces and capabilities.
Romania has firmly reaffirmed its commitment to the collective defense and the transatlantic cohesion, and the minister Ionuț Moșteanu emphasized the importance of respecting this commitment.
Romania, on an upward trend for the defense budget
“About the last estimates, from the National Forecast Institute, we will see until the end of the year that happens with the GDP in the end and the expenses executed by the Ministry of Defense, but here we are, at sea. We are on a good trend, at large, I think we can get there and we will have to get there, respect our commitment to partners on the one hand, and, on the other hand, to endow the army, that we talk about it and strengthen our resistance, resilience”, Explained the minister.
He stressed that some of the related expenses intended for energy infrastructure, critical transport infrastructure, strengthening the industrial base and cyber security bring benefits to the civilian population. “A better infrastructure helps everyone. And we will make these expenses and they will strengthen us as a country, I am sure, step by step, until 2035, we can get here. We must arrive, it is absolutely feasible, we reach this target with 3.5% by 1.5% to 10 years ”.
Bold plans for the endowment of the Romanian army
The minister also stated that the endowment plans are ambitious, and the percentage allocated to the acquisition of equipment and weapons has increased almost up to 30% of the defense budget. Priorities include buying short -range rockets and corvette.
“They have a lesson to learn: if we do not move quickly, we lose some opportunities. That 7 years are lost for us. Now we have this procedure approved in CSAT, this acquisition of Turkish corvette, which is ready from October, it is new. I understand that they will put some additional armament.“, Said the minister.
National Defense Strategy will include the Black Sea
Ionuț Moșteanu also said that President Nicușor Dan has the constitutional obligation to come up with a new national defense strategy, which will also include a component related to the strategic importance of the Black Sea.
“Looking at the EU’s framework, even in May they removed that document about the importance of the Black Sea, and the American partners, in discussions with NATO allies in Turkey, who are not in the EU, but are very important, here. There is no Black Sea strategy without Turkey. It’s the strongest. We will have to take these steps, these discussions, and will be in the National Defense Strategy a Black Sea strategy”, Concluded the minister.
