Moldova's Defense Ministry prepares reform to expand voluntary training

The Defense Ministry is preparing a legislative reform to expand voluntary training. The initiative aims to boost national readiness for unforeseen situations.

In an interview with the public television broadcaster, Defense Minister Anatolie Nosatii emphasized that, this year, the legislative package would be completed and would have an allocated budget.

"Presently, the legislation limits us to summoning only the reservists, those who possess military service books. We can't conduct training with others in peacetime. Therefore, we aim to revise the legal part, so that we can train those who want to - both men and women. In 2026, the legislative package will be completed and will include a budget," Anatolie Nosatii said.

The minister relies on an attractive social package, in order to persuade young people to choose a military career through contract, thus reducing the dependency on conscripts.

"Many want to stay in the National Army after seeing what opportunities we have and how it has modernized. Increasing the number of contracted soldiers reduces the number of conscripts, but citizen training should exist in various forms," Anatolie Nosatii noted.

The minister also highlighted a gradual transition to NATO caliber, with logistical and operational benefits, that will mark a modernization phase for the National Army.

"The aim of interoperability is a component of the modernization of the National Army, and we will completely switch to the weaponry used in the West, to NATO caliber, which gives us the possibility and access to the logistics base, ammunition, spare parts. We are doing it gradually. Four-five units have given up on Kalashnikov: the General Staff Regiment, the Military Academy," Anatolie Nosatii said.

The official pointed out that the modernization of the National Army was supported by European funds, which have exceeded 100 million euros, and with unprecedented internal funding.

"The renovation will continue, as caring for people is a priority in my activity, as well as projects to equip the personnel with the necessary means to fulfill missions. Investment in air defense will continue to be a priority. At the same time, specialized units will be equipped with new equipment, in order to carry out missions at the same level as in European countries, as integration into the European architecture is a priority for us," Anatolie Nosatii added.

In this context, the defense minister anticipates that the threshold of 1 per cent of the Gross Domestic Product represents the minimum necessary for an army capable of meeting European standards.