Romania is preparing to significantly expand its military forces in response to heightened tensions in the region, primarily driven by Russia’s ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu announced plans to increase the Romanian army by 35,000 troops over the next four years, aiming to bolster the active-duty personnel from its existing strength of 81,000 to approximately 100,000.
The expansion will also see a substantial growth in Romania’s volunteer reserve force, which currently numbers about 79,000. Ciolacu highlighted several challenges that may hinder this ambitious growth, including high turnover rates, negative perceptions of military careers among the public, and competition from the private sector which has led to a persistent personnel shortage within the Romanian Land Forces.
The strategic objective behind this expansion is to enhance Romania’s capability to prepare for and respond to potential threats in an increasingly destabilized security environment. There are rising concerns that, should Russia achieve its goals in Ukraine, NATO member states like Romania could become prime targets. Romania has been one of the principal supporters of military aid to Ukraine, reflecting its commitment to the defense of NATO allies.
The geographical proximity of Romania to Russia has made it particularly vulnerable to provocative incidents. A notable event in 2024 involved a Russian drone that was suspected of entering Romanian airspace while en route to Ukraine, further underscoring the precarious security situation.
Ciolacu emphasized the need for a coordinated and unified response to these evolving challenges, pointing out that the instability in Eastern Europe and the Black Sea region is exacerbated by Russia’s ongoing aggression towards Ukraine. He reiterated Romania’s critical role in addressing these security threats, highlighting the importance of strengthening military capabilities to safeguard national and regional stability.
