site.btaRomania Expands Air Base for NATO

Construction commenced on a new military runway at the 57 Airbase, Mihail Kogălniceanu, Romania's Ministry of National Defence confirmed on Wednesday. The facility is engineered to facilitate simultaneous take-offs for combat and large transport aircrafts. The construction project kicked off with a ceremony attended by Romanian Minister of Defence Angel Tîlvăr.

"These investments will significantly expand the operational and training capabilities of the Romanian Air Force and allied countries and will contribute notably to the development of the Mihail Kogălniceanu settlement by creating jobs and attracting substantial investments in Constanța County," Tîlvăr said during the event. He added that the expansion of the air base helps Romania's more prominent role in bolstering stability in the Black Sea region.

The investment initiative aims to enhance airport infrastructure by expanding runways and constructing a new control tower, beacon, and radio navigation system. The city is set to accommodate 10,000 NATO soldiers, their families, and base support personnel.

Tîlvăr added that the USD 2.5 bln project aims to expand a military base that has been operational since 1999. Spanning 2,800 hectares, the base is set for completion by 2040. Currently, it hosts units from the US Air Force's 101st Airborne Division and supports allied fighter jets collaborating with the Romanian Air Force on air policing missions.