The resources of the National Army of Moldova represent not even 1/3 of the arsenal of the 14th army of Russia that was deployed in the Transnistrian region. The National Army’s budget has been modest and constituted between 0.3 and 0.5% of the GDP, IPN quoted expert of the Institute for Development and Social Initiative “Viitorul” Iurie Gotisan as saying.
As of 2009, the financing for the National Army has decreased. The 2017 budget of the armed forces barely covers their operational costs and cannot be used to buy equipment and to provide salary bonuses to the personnel, stated Iurie Gotisan.
The expert considers a solution is to involve the Moldovan military in different international peacekeeping operations. The latest disputes between the President, the Government and particular parties lead to a regression in the field.
According to Iurie Gotisan, the state does not have capacities and financial resources to modernize and strengthen the army. The Moldovan military equipment is very old and cannot be used to cope with the special Russian troops deployed in Transnistria. There are soldiers in the security zone who work in rather difficult conditions.
“If we speak about air security, the conjuncture is dramatic. The financing for the armed forces has never been a priority and this is actually not the problem of the current or former government,” stated Iurie Gotisan, wondering if Moldova should keep the status of neutrality in such conditions.
