CHISINAU, October 1 – Novosti. Germany will help Chisinau acquire military drones, as well as other military equipment for the national army of Moldova, German Defense Minister Christine Lambrecht said at a briefing on Saturday.
Earlier, the head of the department, Anatoly Nosatii, told the media that the national army of Moldova has 6.5 thousand military personnel and 2 thousand civilians, and its military equipment is old Soviet equipment.
The authorities of the republic declare the need to purchase weapons to strengthen the defense capacity and strengthen the borders in the context of a regional crisis. In an interview with TV channels, State Secretary of the Ministry of Defense Valery Mizha said that the Moldovan army would receive modern armored vehicles, communications equipment and drones under the EU program for 40 million euros, which would double the country’s defense budget this year.
“It’s no secret if I say that Germany will help Moldova buy military drones, as well as other military equipment for the national army. I won’t give details: now is not the right time, but I assure you that we will find good solutions in this matter” – Lambercht said at a briefing in Chisinau.
In turn, the head of the Ministry of Defense of Moldova noted that Germany has long supported the republic.
“The Ministry of Defense of Moldova has been cooperating with Germany for many years. Thanks to its help, armories were repaired and expired dangerous ammunition was disposed of. The Moldovan army was also provided with vehicles for transporting ammunition. Thanks to the German Defense Ministry, a number of Moldovan officers are being trained,” the minister said. .
The authorities of the republic have repeatedly spoken about maintaining a neutral status, but since 1994 the republic has been cooperating with NATO within the framework of an individual partnership plan. The information center of the alliance operates in the republic. The authorities plan to open a NATO office in Chisinau. According to opinion polls, the majority of Moldovan citizens oppose the country’s accession to NATO.
