Romania’s Defense Strategy
The final version of Romania’s National Defense Strategy, analyzed by the members of the Supreme Defense Council, is to be debated and voted on in Parliament.
Mihai Pelin, 25.11.2025, 14:00
Romania’s 2025-2030 National Defense Strategy was approved by the Supreme Defense Council (CSAT). During the meeting, the action program for European security through investments in the defense industry was also discussed, and the members of the CSAT analyzed the risks, threats and vulnerabilities facing Romania. The National Defense Strategy was supplemented with proposals from citizens, but also from the civil society. The document had been made public in advance, being the first on to go through this procedure. Most of the recommendations received were integrated, resulting in the final version, which will be presented by the head of state in Parliament, to be debated and approved in a joint session of the two chambers.
According to the Presidential Administration, this Strategy expresses the vision of President Nicuşor Dan, that of a modern and secure Romania, which enjoys peace and its unique advantages, a state built around its citizens, in the service of their fundamental rights and freedoms, with transparent and integrity institutions, oriented exclusively towards the public good. The CSAT also approved the strategic analysis of Defense. Thus, in the current regional and international context, it is necessary to consolidate Romania’s efforts to strengthen national security at all levels. The Romanian state must be prepared to manage the risks of a large-scale, long-term armed conflict near its borders and, at the same time, to strengthen its national resilience. It is also necessary to increase the combat capacity of the Romanian army and accelerate the revitalization of the national defense industry.
The investment plan developed under the SAFE regulation, proposed by the European Commission, was also analyzed by the CSAT members, who approved Romania’s request within the mechanism. With a total value of approximately 17 billion euros, the funds allocated to Romania through the SAFE program will be invested, in a proportion of 75% in the acquisition of military equipment, public order and civil defense. The difference of 25% represents funds allocated to the dual infrastructure, more precisely the two ends of the Paşcani-Siret and Paşcani-Ungheni highways.
Romania’s most consistent programs have a production condition in the country of at least 50%, in some cases this share being 100%, for reasons of security and sovereignty over a critical production process. The European Commission will analyze each proposal, and by the end of January it will approve the national plans submitted. The SAFE programs must be completed by 2030, which requires accelerated procedures for the delivery of the programs and for the conducting of investments for the necessary production capacities. The Minister of Defense, Ionuţ Moşteanu, explained that the new National Defense Strategy aims for Romania to become the second military power on the Eastern flank, after Poland, and a defense supplier in the Black Sea area. (EE)
