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Romania urges NATO to respond to Russian missiles and drones in its airspace.
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Romania’s defense minister called for a “strong, coordinated response” from the alliance.
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The country also announced it would purchase more ammunition in response to Russia’s war in Ukraine.
Romania is taking strategic measures to strengthen its defenses in light of the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine, accelerating the purchase of ammunition and calling on NATO to respond to Russian incursions into its airspace.
Romania’s Supreme Council for National Defence (CSAT) said this week that Russia’s aggressive actions in the region have forced the country to reconsider and adjust its military acquisition efforts to strengthen its defensive capabilities, Euractiv reported.
In a statement, the CSAT said the changes would include “the increased procurement of combat ammunition and the gradual build-up of strategic reserves,” according to Euractiv.
This comes as Romanian Defence Minister Angel Tîlvăr has called on NATO for “robust, coordinated” responses to Russian missile and drone incursions into Romanian airspace.
Tîlvăr told reporters on Wednesday: “The B9 states are deeply concerned about the repeated incursions of Russian drones and missiles into NATO airspace, in Poland, Romania and Latvia, and about the growing tensions along NATO’s eastern flank.”
“Therefore, a robust, coordinated response at the allied level is needed, as well as the earliest possible implementation of the rotational air defense model and the integrated anti-missile model,” he added.
The B9, or Bucharest Nine, was formed after Russia annexed Crimea in 2014. The group consists of Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania and Slovakia.
Russian drones have repeatedly entered Romanian airspace over the past year.
Earlier this month, Romanian authorities announced they were investigating the crash of a Russian drone after it violated Romanian airspace.
Following the news, former NATO Deputy Secretary General Mircea Geoana said NATO condemned “Russia’s nighttime violation of Romanian airspace.”
“While we have no information indicating a deliberate attack by Russia on allies, these actions are irresponsible and potentially dangerous,” he added.
The B9 countries underlined the importance of strengthening European air defence in a statement earlier this week.
“We need a common response within NATO to the challenges posed by modern weapons and technologies, including by increasing our capacity to detect, identify and, if necessary, engage low-flying and slow-flying objects,” the Romanian news agency Agerpres said in a statement.
Romania’s strategic location, bordering Ukraine and on the Black Sea coast, makes the country an important hub for NATO forces.
The country’s Mihail Kogălniceanu air base will become the alliance’s largest base in Europe.
The base is expected to expand significantly to accommodate 10,000 NATO personnel and their families.
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