On April 16, 2025, Moldovan Defense Minister Anatoly Nosaty announced that the Moldovan National Army will soon receive a new batch of military assistance from the European Union, which will include modern air defense systems. This aid, provided in the form of a grant, represents a major step forward in Moldova’s efforts to strengthen its national defense and safeguard its airspace amid growing regional security threats.
Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link

Moldovan National Army’s Soviet-era S-125 Neva-M1 surface-to-air missile system, known by its NATO reporting name SA-3 Goa, remains the country’s primary air defense asset as modernization efforts continue. (Picture source: Moldova MoD)

According to Moldovan Defense Minister Nosaty, the incoming air defense systems can intercept and destroy a wide range of aerial threats, including aircraft, helicopters, and certain types of missiles. “The new air defense systems will be equipped with the functions of intercepting and destroying aircraft, airplanes, helicopters, and some models of missiles,” he stated after a government meeting on Wednesday. However, no specific details have been disclosed regarding the exact types or models of air defense systems that will be delivered to Moldova as part of this European assistance package.

Nosaty emphasized that European military support is crucial for Moldova to ensure the safety of its citizens and to build a credible defense capability. “European support is necessary for Moldova to ensure the safety of citizens and strengthen the country’s defense capability,” he noted. He also reaffirmed that air defense remains one of the country’s top military priorities. “In this context, in addition to the airspace monitoring systems, we found an opportunity to discuss the transition to the next stage, which concerns the systems of direct defense of airspace,” Nosaty added.

The Moldovan government and its European partners are expected to coordinate the logistics and transfer of this assistance in the coming days. The decision comes at a critical time for Moldova, a country that remains under significant geopolitical pressure from Russia. Moldova gained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991, but Russia continues to regard the country — which lies sandwiched between Ukraine and European Union member Romania — as part of its traditional sphere of influence. This perspective has created ongoing tensions, especially as Moldova seeks closer integration with European institutions and aligns more closely with NATO member states.

In light of the ongoing war in Ukraine and repeated threats from Moscow, Moldova has been prioritizing the modernization of its military, particularly its air defense capabilities. The acquisition of EU-funded systems marks a significant step in building a defense architecture capable of responding to evolving regional threats, including potential airspace violations and missile attacks.

Currently, Moldova’s air defense capabilities rely heavily on obsolete Soviet-era systems. The Moldovan Armed Forces operate a single regiment equipped with the S-125M1 Neva-M1 (NATO reporting name: SA-3 Goa) surface-to-air missile system. While functional, this Cold War-era system lacks the sophistication and coverage needed to counter modern aerial threats, including high-speed aircraft, precision-guided munitions, and unmanned aerial vehicles.

In recent years, Moldova has taken significant steps to improve its airspace surveillance capabilities. In December 2023, the Ministry of Defense acquired a Ground Master 200 (GM200) radar from French defense company Thales. Funded through the state budget at a cost of 14 million euros, the mobile radar system is capable of detecting aerial targets within a 250-kilometer radius, enhancing Moldova’s early warning and situational awareness capabilities.

Furthermore, in January 2025, Minister Nosaty revealed plans to bolster these capabilities with the acquisition of a new radar system specifically designed to detect drones. The contract for this system was signed on April 5, 2024, and delivery is scheduled for the first half of 2026.

These ongoing initiatives highlight Moldova’s determination to modernize its defense forces, increase interoperability with Western allies, and reduce its dependency on outdated Soviet military technology. With the support of European partners and growing alignment with NATO member states, Moldova is gradually building a more robust and responsive defense posture to face current and future security challenges, particularly those stemming from Russian pressure and regional instability.