About 5,000 soldiers and almost 900 armored vehicles will arrive in Romania for one of the most important NATO exercises this year. The Minister of Defense, Ionuț Moșteanu, explained that the exercise will start on October 20 and will extend until November 13, in several polygons in the country.
Ionuț Moșteanu explained how NATO Photo exercise will work: Facebook
“There will be about 5,000 soldiers and 8-900 mechanized means to come to Romania. The movement of NATO allies to Romania has begun. On October 20, this exercise will begin. Until November 13, it will be in several polygons and units in Romania. They will be allied from several countries. The main ones are the French allies who are permanently stationed at 5,000. France will make a considerable effort in this exercise and, again, it will be a NATO exercise, not an exercise in Romania ”, said Moșteanu, live at Digi24.
The largest performances will take place in Cincu and Smârdan, but there will be exercises in Capu Midia, Babadag and in other polygons. The minister stressed that the herds will be able to be seen throughout the country.
“We are not in war”
Asked about the challenges from Russia, Moșteanu made a clear distinction:
“First I want to make a very clear distinction between war and peace. The Ukrainians are in the war and have a war industry. We are a country in time. If someone is waiting for a mobilization as in war, they will not see it. And we would not be wise..
The Minister of Defense also recalled the initiative announced by NATO Secretary General, Mark Rutte, and the Supreme Allied commander in Europe, General Grynkewich, regarding the increase of defense capabilities on the eastern flank, through the “Eastern Sentry” project.
Soldiers, trained to break down drones
Mosteanu also commented on the statements of the head of the NATO Command, according to which the military are trained to break down drones: “Any soldier has an instruction. I went a few days ago in Smârdan, in Galați, I saw the Romanian soldiers training, and yesterday I was in the polygon in Cincu and I saw the allied soldiers. They are permanent workouts and are prepared for anything. And this is good and this allows us to see each other and sleep quietly ”.
He explained that the orders for such operations are only given by commanders, depending on the data and information available, and has drawn attention to the use of drones ordered by fiber optical, widely used in Ukraine and Russia.
“I ask the Romanians to trust the army”
The minister acknowledged that new border challenges may occur, but stressed that Romania is not the target of an attack: “My evaluation is that it was a challenge in both Poland and Romania and there will be such challenges. But we are not attacked, we are not at war. In Ukraine there is something else. “
Moșteanu gave assurances that the population will be informed every time incidents take place:
“As much as I can, since there are almost 3 months minister, I have tried and I will continue to try to communicate every time something happens, as clear as possible. Please trust the Romanian army and the Allied army.”.
