The Russian Federation does not admit that its rockets crossed the national airspace of the Republic of Moldova and even demands that Chisinau should provide evidence of this, said Minister of Defense Anatolie Nosatyi. According to the official, they now work on the amendment of the national legislation so that multiannual purchases in the field of defense could be made. Later, with the foreign partners’ assistance, the Republic of Moldova could purchase an air defense system, IPN reports.
On October 10, three Russian rockets launched from the Black Sea crossed Moldova’s airspace through the eastern region of the county. Even if the violation of the airspace was confirmed by Ukraine and Romania, the minister of defense of Moldova said Russia does not admit to committing an illegality.
“We haven’t received any official explanation. In the discussions held by colleagues from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and in the discussions I had with the military attaché, the Russian side defended its actions and asked for details from us. Instead of admitting that they crossed the airspace of the Republic of Moldova, they ask for confirmation of the crossing of our airspace. In normal conditions, if the airspace is violated, the air defense forces are placed on alert and measures are taken to intercept the flying objects, such as rockets or planes that violate the national airspace of a state. We have monitoring equipment, radars and could therefore identify and confirm the objects. As to interception divides, we do not have response capacities here. To intercept a flying object, a plane or a rocket, we need another rocket or hunting aircraft to down this object,” Anatolie Nosatyi stated in an interview with Radio Moldova station.
The minister said the 2023 draft state budget low provides for the allocation of a larger amount for the national defense system. However, Moldova cannot afford an air defense system even with the larger amount.
“The system is very complicated and costly. Even with the planned increase for the defense sector, we will be unable to buy it as the procurement lasts long. We are working on the amendment of the legislation on multiannual purchases. Earlier, all the purchases were made for a short period and in a small volume. The purchase of rockets or planes wasn’t considered earlier. Without the assistance of foreign partners, it will be hard to obtain such kind of weapons and such capabilities,” said Anatolie Nosatyi.
Earlier this month, the Minister of Defense of Germany Christine Lambrecht said that her country will offer Moldova military drones and other types of equipment needed by the National Army.
“Those drones, as far as I understood from specialists from Germany, will be shipped during the first months of 2023. The service members who will use the equipment will be trained by the German side,” noted the minister.
