The Republic of Moldova is negotiating access to military equipment procurement through the European SAFE programme and exploring defence cooperation arrangements with Romania. Chișinău’s priority is to acquire drone interceptors, considered a more financially accessible solution for protecting the country’s airspace. Prime Minister Vasile Tofan made the statements in an interview with Euronews Romania.
The head of government said Moldova wants to cooperate with partners that have more advanced military technologies amid repeated violations of its national airspace. According to the prime minister, more than 100 unauthorised overflights have been recorded.
In this context, cooperation with Romania was discussed during meetings with Romanian Prime Minister Luca Niculescu. One of the issues concerns Moldova’s access to procurement carried out through the European SAFE programme, which is designed to strengthen defence capabilities.
“One of the negotiations we are conducting is to ensure that Moldova has access to procurement under this programme,” Vasile Tofan said, noting that the authorities are exploring several forms of partnership with Romania.
The prime minister stressed that Moldova’s neutral status does not rule out investment in defence or the development of capabilities to protect its airspace.
Drone Interceptors Top the Procurement Priorities
Among the main pieces of equipment Chișinău intends to acquire are drone interceptors. According to the prime minister, they offer a more cost-effective way to counter unmanned aerial vehicles entering the country’s airspace.
Vasile Tofan said the authorities are not necessarily seeking to purchase highly sophisticated and expensive systems such as Patriot, but rather new-generation technologies suited to current threats, including Geran- and Shahed-type drones used by Russia in its war against Ukraine.
At the same time, Moldova intends to draw on Ukraine’s experience in military technology. The prime minister recalled that he recently signed a military-technical cooperation agreement in Kyiv, which is expected to facilitate access to technologies tested under real wartime conditions.
Asked about other possible joint procurements with Romania and when the first results might emerge, Vasile Tofan declined to provide details, citing the sensitivity of the subject. He said the authorities prefer to release information publicly once their plans have taken concrete shape.