The Republic of Moldova identified a radar system that is to monitor the airspace. By the end of 2023, this system will become operational, said Minister of Defense Anatolie Nosatyi. According to him, the procurement of an airspace monitoring system is at an advanced stage and the specialists who will deal with the maintenance and use of the radar were already trained and certified to start work, IPN reports.

The minister noted the authorities made considerable progress in the procurement of a modern airspace monitoring system. He assured that the new radar system will become functional by this yearend.

“We are at an advanced stage, as we promised. This radar was identified based on a feasibility study. The best solution for the Republic of Moldova was identified, based on the necessities and the available resources. The personnel who will deal with the maintained and use of this system were already trained and certified. The delivery and operationalization of the system will now follow,” Anatolie Nosatyi stated in the program “Emphasis on Today” on TVR Moldova channel.

The minister said that the radar will be bought with state budget funds, but avoided making public the value of the purchase. The money provided by development partners will go to also buy early warning systems in case of eventual dangers.

“We promised to the citizens to take the best decisions in the utilization of public funds for ensuring security. This system will be operationalized by the end of this year. The money is allocated from the state budget, but the funds provided by the European Union will be used to buy another system that is complementary to the one we are purchasing with the aim of improving early warning regarding airspace security,” explained Anatolie Nosatyi.

In 2023, the Ministry of Defense’s budget was raised by 649.9 million lei to 1.697 billion lei (about €85 million), which is 0.55% of the Gross Domestic Product.