EU to supply Moldova with new air defence systems amid threat from Russia
Moldova will receive a new batch of military aid from the European Union, which will include modern air defence systems.
Here's What We Know
The announcement was made by the country's Defence Minister Anatolie Nosatîi after a government meeting on 16 April. The assistance will be provided in the form of a grant and will be an important step in the modernisation of the National Army of Moldova.
According to the minister, the new systems are capable of intercepting and destroying aircraft, helicopters and some types of missiles, but the exact models or characteristics have not yet been disclosed. Air defence remains one of the priorities of the country's military policy. Chisinau and its European partners are already coordinating supply logistics.
Currently, Moldova's air defence capabilities are limited by the outdated S-125M1 Neva-M1 system, which has limited coverage and is unable to effectively respond to modern threats, including drones and precision-guided missiles.
Moldova's S-125 Neva-M1 air defence system. Illustration: джерело
At the same time, the country is taking steps to modernise its defence infrastructure. In December 2023, the Ministry of Defence purchased a GM200 radar from Thales with a range of up to 250 km. Also in January 2025, a contract was signed for the supply of a new radar system for detecting drones, which is scheduled for delivery in the first half of 2026.
Source: Army Recognition
