Romania is taking strategic measures to strengthen its defense amid the war in Ukraine

In a statement, CSAT said the changes would include “increased procurement of combat munitions and the gradual formation of strategic reserves,” according to Euractiv.

This comes as the Romanian Defense Minister, Angel Tîlvăr, called on NATO to carry out “solid, coordinated” responses to Russian incursions with missiles and drones in Romania’s airspace.

Addressing reporters on Wednesday, Tîlvăr said: “The B9 states are deeply concerned about the repeated incursions of Russian drones and missiles into NATO airspace in Poland, Romania, Latvia, as well as the escalation of tensions along NATO’s eastern flank.” .

“That is why a robust, coordinated response at the allied level is needed, as well as the application as soon as possible of the rotating air defense and the integrated anti-missile model,” he added.

The B9 group, or Bucharest Nine, was formed following Russia’s annexation of Crimea in 2014. It includes Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania and Slovakia.

Russian drones have repeatedly strayed into Romania’s airspace over the past year.

Earlier this month, Romanian authorities said they were investigating after a Russian drone crashed after violating its airspace.

Following the news, former Deputy Secretary General of NATO Mircea Geoană stated that NATO condemned the “overnight violation of Russian airspace in Romanian airspace”.

“While we have no information indicating an intentional attack by Russia against the Allies, these acts are irresponsible and potentially dangerous,” he added.

The B9 countries underlined the importance of increasing European air defenses in a statement earlier this week.

“We need a collective response within NATO to the challenges posed by modern weapons and technologies, including by increasing our capabilities to detect, identify and, if necessary, engage low- and slow-flying objects,” the statement said, according to the Romanian press agency Agerpres.

Romania’s strategic location – on the border with Ukraine and on the shores of the Black Sea – makes it an important hub for NATO forces.

The country’s Mihail Kogălniceanu Air Base is set to become the alliance’s largest base in Europe.

A major expansion is expected to allow the base to support 10,000 NATO personnel and their families.