site.btaRomania's Defence In Figures
ESD 20:56:01 14-02-2022
LN2053ES.116
116 INSIDE THE BALKANS - ROMANIA - NATO
Romania's Defence
In
Figures
Sofia, February 14 (Vanya Nakova of BTA) - The rising tension along the Russian-Ukrainian border logically livened movements in some East European NATO members, particularly those sharing a border with Ukrainia, Romania included.
"Romania shares over 600 km of border with Ukraine and we must make sure we are prepared for any situation possible. The current security crisis created by Russia is not just about Ukraine, regional security in the Black Sea, or even about European security: it is about the security of the entire Euro-Atlantic area. That is why at this time it is important for NATO and the EU to display unity and solidarity," President Klaus Iohannis said at the end of January.
A NATO member since 2004, Romania continues to upgrade its armed forces, but the process is slow and one that requires huge investments. As of 2017, the country has undertaken to set aside 2 per cent of GDP for defence, in line with Alliance standards.
As of 2021, the Romanian Armed Forces number 68,500 active personnel and 53,000 reservists. The Land Forces have a reported strength of 35,800, the Air Force 10,700, the Naval Forces 6,600, and Joint Forces 16,500.
Multinational Brigade
Romania has been calling for boosting NATO presence in the Black Sea region for years and these calls became particularly persistent after the annexation of Crimea by Russia in 2014. The country also hosts the infantry Multinational Brigade South-East in Craiova.
Missile Defence System
Various officials have said repeatedly that Poland, Romania and Turkey are NATO's eastern security pillars. Poland and Romania are the two East European countries to accept elements of the Aegis Ashore Ballistic Missile Defence system. In Romania, the site in Deveselu was officially switched on in 2016.
Since then, Bucharest has not stopped maintaining it is strictly defensive and is no threat to Russia. The latter, in turn, claims that the Deveselu interceptors can easily be substituted for Tomahawk missiles.
Patriot SAM Systems
In 2020 Romania became the 7th NATO member and 17th country in the world with a Patriot surface-to-air (SAM) system. The first was deployed at the Capu Midia firing range on the Black Sea. In 2022 the country stands to receive new, upgraded Patriot systems.
US Reinforcement Troops
Some 1,000 US troops will be relocated from Germany to Romania in line with the latter's strategic partnership with the United States since 1997 and amid growing concerns involving the Russian-Ukrainian border. France also expressed readiness to send troops.
At the end of January, President Joe Biden announced that some 3,000 US troops would be deployed in Poland, Romania and Germany to support the European allies in the eastern NATO flank. According to the plan, 1,000 of those should arrive in Romania.
Currently, there are over 900 US military in Romania, as well as 140 Italian and 250 Polish service persons.
Plans for More F-16, F-35
Last year Romania announced it is buying another 32 second-hand F-16 jets from Norway. The deal for the 40-year-old jets is worth 454 million euro and includes their upgrade.
Romania currently has 17 F-16s it bought from Portugal, with less sophisticated equipment than the expected arrivals from Norway. In the long term, though, the country aims to be fitted with fifth generation F-35, sometime around 2030.
The Romanian Air Force still has slightly over 20 MiG-21 LanceR jets, DefenseRomania recalls. A hundred of these were upgraded to become compatible with NATO Lancer standards.
Rotational Air Policing
Last week Germany sent military and Eurofighter jets to take part in the NATO air policing missions along with the Italian Air Force.
Italy is participating in four-month air policing missions in Romania with 140 military and four Eurofighters since December 2021.
The air policing is rotational for NATO members, including the RAF from Great Britain, Canada, and others.
Four New Corvettes for France
Romania has been planning to buy four new corvettes from France for some time, but the contract has not been sealed yet.
During his visit to Bucharest in the beginning of February, Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said France hopes a deal to sell four corvettes to Romania for 1.2 billion euro will be concluded soon.
Currently, Romania has two frigates Type 22 built in Britain and another built in Romania, as well as four corvettes.
What about a submarine?
Romania has not had an operational submarine for nearly 26 years. Delfinul - 'The dolphin' - is a Kilo-class submarine of the Romanian Naval Forces. It was commissioned in August 1985 and is currently the only Romanian submarine in service. Due to a lack of funding the submarine has been inactive since 1995. It is kept in reserve docked in the military sector of the Port of Constanta. MY/BR
//
LN2053ES.116
116 INSIDE THE BALKANS - ROMANIA - NATO
Romania's Defence
In
Figures
Sofia, February 14 (Vanya Nakova of BTA) - The rising tension along the Russian-Ukrainian border logically livened movements in some East European NATO members, particularly those sharing a border with Ukrainia, Romania included.
"Romania shares over 600 km of border with Ukraine and we must make sure we are prepared for any situation possible. The current security crisis created by Russia is not just about Ukraine, regional security in the Black Sea, or even about European security: it is about the security of the entire Euro-Atlantic area. That is why at this time it is important for NATO and the EU to display unity and solidarity," President Klaus Iohannis said at the end of January.
A NATO member since 2004, Romania continues to upgrade its armed forces, but the process is slow and one that requires huge investments. As of 2017, the country has undertaken to set aside 2 per cent of GDP for defence, in line with Alliance standards.
As of 2021, the Romanian Armed Forces number 68,500 active personnel and 53,000 reservists. The Land Forces have a reported strength of 35,800, the Air Force 10,700, the Naval Forces 6,600, and Joint Forces 16,500.
Multinational Brigade
Romania has been calling for boosting NATO presence in the Black Sea region for years and these calls became particularly persistent after the annexation of Crimea by Russia in 2014. The country also hosts the infantry Multinational Brigade South-East in Craiova.
Missile Defence System
Various officials have said repeatedly that Poland, Romania and Turkey are NATO's eastern security pillars. Poland and Romania are the two East European countries to accept elements of the Aegis Ashore Ballistic Missile Defence system. In Romania, the site in Deveselu was officially switched on in 2016.
Since then, Bucharest has not stopped maintaining it is strictly defensive and is no threat to Russia. The latter, in turn, claims that the Deveselu interceptors can easily be substituted for Tomahawk missiles.
Patriot SAM Systems
In 2020 Romania became the 7th NATO member and 17th country in the world with a Patriot surface-to-air (SAM) system. The first was deployed at the Capu Midia firing range on the Black Sea. In 2022 the country stands to receive new, upgraded Patriot systems.
US Reinforcement Troops
Some 1,000 US troops will be relocated from Germany to Romania in line with the latter's strategic partnership with the United States since 1997 and amid growing concerns involving the Russian-Ukrainian border. France also expressed readiness to send troops.
At the end of January, President Joe Biden announced that some 3,000 US troops would be deployed in Poland, Romania and Germany to support the European allies in the eastern NATO flank. According to the plan, 1,000 of those should arrive in Romania.
Currently, there are over 900 US military in Romania, as well as 140 Italian and 250 Polish service persons.
Plans for More F-16, F-35
Last year Romania announced it is buying another 32 second-hand F-16 jets from Norway. The deal for the 40-year-old jets is worth 454 million euro and includes their upgrade.
Romania currently has 17 F-16s it bought from Portugal, with less sophisticated equipment than the expected arrivals from Norway. In the long term, though, the country aims to be fitted with fifth generation F-35, sometime around 2030.
The Romanian Air Force still has slightly over 20 MiG-21 LanceR jets, DefenseRomania recalls. A hundred of these were upgraded to become compatible with NATO Lancer standards.
Rotational Air Policing
Last week Germany sent military and Eurofighter jets to take part in the NATO air policing missions along with the Italian Air Force.
Italy is participating in four-month air policing missions in Romania with 140 military and four Eurofighters since December 2021.
The air policing is rotational for NATO members, including the RAF from Great Britain, Canada, and others.
Four New Corvettes for France
Romania has been planning to buy four new corvettes from France for some time, but the contract has not been sealed yet.
During his visit to Bucharest in the beginning of February, Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said France hopes a deal to sell four corvettes to Romania for 1.2 billion euro will be concluded soon.
Currently, Romania has two frigates Type 22 built in Britain and another built in Romania, as well as four corvettes.
What about a submarine?
Romania has not had an operational submarine for nearly 26 years. Delfinul - 'The dolphin' - is a Kilo-class submarine of the Romanian Naval Forces. It was commissioned in August 1985 and is currently the only Romanian submarine in service. Due to a lack of funding the submarine has been inactive since 1995. It is kept in reserve docked in the military sector of the Port of Constanta. MY/BR
//
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