Romania is gearing up to expand its army by 35,000 troops amid rising regional tensions fueled by Russia’s war in Ukraine.
Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu said the army could grow to around 100,000 active-duty troops over the next four years, up from its current strength of 81,000.
Romania’s volunteer reserve force could also see a major boost from its current size of 79,000.
Ciolacu acknowledged challenges to the expansion, citing frequent dismissals, negative public perceptions of military careers, and stiff competition from the private labor market.
These issues have been blamed for an ongoing personnel shortage in the Romanian Land Forces.
Unstable Security
The planned expansion is aimed at strengthening Bucharest’s ability to prepare for and respond to potential threats.
There are growing fears that Russia could target a NATO member if it claims victory in Ukraine, with countries actively supporting Kyiv seen as potential targets.
Romania, a NATO member since 2004, has been one of the main providers of military aid to Ukraine.
Its proximity to Russia has also exposed the Balkan nation to provocative incidents, including one in 2024, when a Russian drone was suspected of crossing into Romanian airspace en route to Ukraine.
Ciolacu noted that security in Eastern Europe and the Black Sea region is increasingly unstable, with tensions and new threats fueled by the ongoing war.
“Russia’s aggression against Ukraine continues to affect the stability of the Black Sea region between Europe, Asia, and the Middle East,” he stated. “These challenges require a unified and coordinated response, and our country plays a key role.”
