The US antimissile defense shield in Romania, a new stage

As of 2015 elements of the American anti-missile defense shield will become operational on Romanias territory, meant to protect Europe from potential ballistic missile attacks. Despite the failure to reach an agreement with Russia in this respect, works

România Internațional, 25.10.2013, 13:27

In 2011 Romania announced a military base would be built in Deveselu, in the south, to host elements of the American anti missile defense shield in Europe. The Romanian side is in charge of setting up the base while the American partners will equip it so as to become operational as of 2015. Here is defense minister Mircea Dusa, fresh from talks in Washington:

Mircea Dusa: “This is a serious partnership with the US. This is the first such military base set up in Eastern Europe, given that Romania is a border state for both NATO and the EU. “

This year Bucharest has allotted almost 2.5 million dollars for the base in Deveselu, and other amounts are to be allotted in 2014 and 2015. The Romanian side has to take care of the surveillance and lighting systems, the building of barracks for the Romanian soldiers and also to build the access road to the base, a water treatment station and a sewerage system. The American side will have to move from the East Coast of the US to Romania the structure of a four-storey building where radar equipment will be installed. They will also build a missile launching system, fuel tanks for generators, buildings for the staff and command as well as for other facilities. An expert in security issues, professor Claudiu Degeratu believes the developments in Deveselu show Romania’s maturity as an ally:

Claudiu Degeratu : “Strategically speaking, we’ll assume more responsibilities, recognized at a NATO level, because the military base in Deveselu points to Romania’s importance not only as a strategic partner for the US but also for the entire eastern flank of the North Atlantic Alliance.”