Romania will host one of the North Atlantic Alliance’s most important strategic events, the NATO-Industry Forum (NIF), in Bucharest on November 5-6, 2025. Military and civilian leaders, international officials, and defense industry representatives will attend the forum. The forum’s significance extends beyond Romania and benefits neighboring states such as the Republic of Moldova. By positioning Romania as a bridge for dialogue between NATO and the regional industrial sector, the forum opens opportunities for technological cooperation, know-how transfer, and strategic alignment.
The Romanian Ministry of National Defense (MApN) stated that the Allied Command for Transformation and the Defense, Innovation, and Armament Industry Division of NATO’s International Staff co-organize the NIF under the patronage of the NATO Secretary General.
This year’s theme, “Rearming NATO – Innovation, Acceleration, Support,” reflects the Alliance’s priorities in a global context marked by rising tensions and the increasing need for technological modernization. The forum facilitates direct and continuous collaboration between NATO and the defense industry. It serves as a crucial platform for participants to discuss modernization and innovation strategies in collective defense.
Romania uses this moment to assert its role as a regional facilitator, while the Republic of Moldova observes NATO’s defense developments attentively. A month earlier, Romania’s Chief of the Army, General Gheorghita Vlad, stated that Romania already assists Moldova in strengthening its defensive capacity through joint training and technical assistance:
“The Romanian Army helps the Republic of Moldova develop its defensive capacity. We conduct numerous joint training programs and capability development initiatives. We provide assistance to Moldova’s armed forces to enhance their defense capabilities.”
From a regional perspective, Romania hosting this event carries significant meaning: Bucharest becomes a hub for strategic dialogue. MApN emphasized that it supports organizing the forum, “reaffirming Romania’s commitment, as host country, to facilitate strategic dialogue between the Alliance and the industrial sector.” By hosting NATO-Industry Forum 2025, Romania strengthens its role as an active and reliable NATO partner, offering a platform for discussion to enhance defense capabilities and military innovation.
Previously, Valentin Naumescu, Romanian presidential advisor on foreign affairs, drew similar conclusions after the European Council meeting on October 23, 2025. He noted that the European Union will keep security as a priority at least until 2030:
“Until then, authorities define deadlines and staged plans clearly. 2027 and 2028 will serve as key milestones, marking the full operationalization of at least two of the four adopted programs – Eastern Flank Watch and the European Drone Defence Initiative. EU authorities implement programs for military procurement and the revitalization of compatible European defense industries in full collaboration and strategic partnership with NATO. All these measures directly serve the interests of Romania and our region. Over the next five years, Romania will spend wisely, in line with national interests, the substantial amount of €16.7 billion allocated by the EU through the SAFE (Security Action for Europe) instrument. The EU provides these funds as very favorable long-term loans of up to 45 years, with a grace period of up to 10 years, to strengthen defense capacity and revitalize the national defense industry,” explained Romanian President Nicusor Dan’s advisor.
Although the Republic of Moldova does not hold NATO membership, authorities can perceive it as part of the Alliance’s extended visibility on the Eastern flank. Proximity to this framework provides benefits such as supporting the development of national defense capabilities, creating a dialogue space for regional companies and institutions, and identifying the role Moldova can play as a NATO partner or observer in regional defense industry dynamics.