VIDEO | Moldova and Romania make the first joint purchase under the SAFE program. The National Army will buy 62 military trucks
The Republic of Moldova will acquire 62 military trucks under a joint project with Romania, carried out through the European instrument SAFE (Security Action for Europe). The documents allowing the participation of the Ministry of Defense from Chisinau in this acquisition were signed in Bucharest, during a ceremony held at the Victoria Palace.
This is the first time that Romania and the Republic of Moldova participate together in a defense procurement through this mechanism.
The acquisition is carried out by including the contracting authority from the Republic of Moldova in the framework agreement concluded in 2019 between the General Directorate for Armaments of Romania and the Italian company IVECO Defence Vehicles. The agreement provides for the supply of 2,909 military transport platforms, in 16 configurations, of which 2.031 have already been delivered to the Romanian Army.
Romanian Defense Minister Ștefan-Radu Oprea stressed the importance of military cooperation between the two states in the context of regional threats.
"The security of the Republic of Moldova also means the security of Romania," said Ștefan-Radu Oprea.
For his part, the Minister of Defense in Chisinau, Anatolie Nosatîi, emphasized that the new vehicles will contribute to the modernization of the National Army and the development of its logistical and operational capabilities.
"This agreement demonstrates once again that the special relationship of friendship and trust between the Republic of Moldova and Romania is reflected not only in declarations of mutual support, but also in concrete projects, with a direct impact on our security and defense capacity," Nosatîi said.
Romanian Prime Minister Luca Niculescu said that the project represents a step in strengthening cooperation between the two states in the fields of security and economy.
"And through today's agreement, the Ministries of Defense of Romania and the Republic of Moldova will become, for the first time, partners in a joint procurement carried out through the SAFE program," said Luca Niculescu.
At the same time, the Romanian Prime Minister announced that the two states are also discussing the development of joint defense programs against drones, in the context of the intensification of airspace violations caused by Russian attacks on Ukraine.
"The security of our territory, protection against Russian attacks, were on the agenda of the discussions I had with Prime Minister Vasile Tofan, especially in the context in which we see that such drone incursions, which violate our airspace, are happening more and more often," said Luca Niculescu.
The SAFE program is a financial instrument of the European Union aimed at strengthening defense capabilities through joint investments and procurement. The participation of the Republic of Moldova in the project initiated by Romania aims to modernize military logistics and increase interoperability between the armed forces of the two states.
