Romania is increasing its ammunition acquisition and calling on NATO to react to Russian incursions as Ukraine war lingers on its doorstep

Romanian Minister of Defense Angel Tîlvăr called for a “robust, coordinated response.” 

Romania is taking strategic steps to bolster its defenses amid the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, accelerating its acquisition of ammunition and calling on NATO to react to Russian incursions into its airspace.

Romania’s Supreme Council of National Defence (CSAT) said this week that Russia’s aggressive moves in the region had forced it to reassess and tweak its military acquisition efforts to strengthen its defensive capabilities, Euractiv reported.

In a statement, the CSAT said that changes would include “the increased acquisition of combat ammunition and the gradual build-up of strategic reserves,” per Euractiv.

It comes as Romanian Defense Minister Angel Tîlvăr urged NATO to carry out “robust, coordinated” responses to Russian missile and drone incursions into Romania’s airspace.

Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Tîlvăr said: “B9 states are profoundly concerned about the repeated incursions of Russia’s drones and missiles in NATO air space, in Poland, Romania, Latvia, as well as escalating tensions along NATO’s eastern flank.”

“That is why a robust, coordinated response on an allied level is needed as well as enforcing the rotational air defence and integrated anti-missile model as soon as possible,” he added.

The B9, or Bucharest Nine, group was formed in the wake of 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 last year.

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

Following the news, former NATO Deputy Secretary General Mircea Geoana said NATO condemned “the overnight Russian airspace violation into Romanian airspace.”

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

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

“We need a collective answer within NATO to challenges posed by modern weapons and technologies including through boosting our capabilities of detecting, identifying and, if necessary, engaging low and slow flying objects,” the statement said, per Romanian news agency Agerpres.

Romania’s strategic location — bordering 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.