Amid ongoing tension in the Black Sea region and Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, Romania is taking decisive steps toward a radical modernization of its defense sector. On September 7, President Nicușor Dan chaired a meeting of the Supreme Council of National Defense (CSAT), where a long-term rearmament plan for the national armed forces for 2027–2036 was approved.

 

The approved document is designed to align the operational capabilities of the Romanian military with NATO standards. The plan outlines the procurement of advanced high-tech weapon systems, the development of flexible and mobile units, and deep modernization across land, naval, and air forces.

A key driver of these changes is a revised approach to defense spending. In line with commitments made at the NATO summit, Romania pledged to gradually increase defense spending to 5% of GDP by 2035 (with 3.5% allocated directly to military needs and 1.5% to related infrastructure and security).

During the CSAT meeting, special emphasis was placed on two strategic priorities:

1. The SAFE Program and the Defense Industry: The Council reviewed a report by the interagency working group on the implementation of the European SAFE program. Bucharest views military modernization not only as a security matter but also as a catalyst for the domestic defense-industrial complex, expecting increased technology transfer and European investments into local munitions and equipment production.
2. US Military Presence: Council members assessed current dynamics and prospects in dialogue with Washington. Strengthening the US troop contingent and deploying additional deterrence forces in Romania were officially designated a "strategic investment in national security" and a vital factor in protecting NATO's eastern flank.

 

The conflict on Romania’s border has dismantled the previous security architecture in the Black Sea region. Frequent incidents involving fallen drone debris on Romanian territory and airspace violations have forced Bucharest to shift from passive containment to actively boosting its military capabilities.

Romania is steadily establishing itself as NATO's primary military and logistical hub in Southeastern Europe. The ambitious 2027–2036 rearmament program, airbase expansions (including the upgrade of Mihail Kogălniceanu Air Base), and deeper integration into EU defense initiatives demonstrate that Bucharest is prepared to serve as a principal guarantor of stability in the Black Sea for decades to come.

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#MILITARY REVIEW

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11.09.2026 08:18