Romania Plans Army Overhaul with EU Funding

Romania’s Army, long hampered by underfunding, will undergo major re-equipment efforts using European financing instruments, Defense Minister Ionut Mosteanu announced Thursday, CE Report quotes AGERPRES

Speaking to B1 TV, Mosteanu emphasized that the Romanian military has a clear long-term procurement plan aligned with NATO needs. “Regardless of ministers, this is a national and NATO-level commitment,” he said.

He highlighted the EU’s SAFE (Security Action for Europe) initiative under the REARM Readiness 2030 plan, which offers €150 billion in favorable loans for defense purchases made within Europe. “The money, the needs, and the suppliers are all in Europe,” Mosteanu added.

Romania already assembles military vehicles like the Piranha, in partnership with General Dynamics, and IVECO military trucks. These projects could be eligible under SAFE.

Mosteanu noted that the current military gear is largely Soviet-era, retrofitted to NATO standards but outdated. Parliament has already approved initial steps for its replacement.

Romania aims to reach 5% of GDP spending on defense over the next decade, up from 2.29% this year. This broader goal includes infrastructure and cybersecurity costs, potentially covering military hospitals and energy storage.