National Army preparing projects for systems capable of intercepting drones and missiles

The National Army is implementing projects to develop air defense capabilities, including equipping it with systems capable of intercepting drones and missiles, Defense Minister Anatolie Nosatîi said today after the Government meeting. According to the official, the Republic of Moldova is focusing its efforts on acquiring and developing interception systems amid the growing risks posed by the illegal overflight of its airspace.

Anatolie Nosatîi noted that the Republic of Moldova does not have F-16, F-18, or Eurofighter fighter jets, so the development of air defense is focused on interceptor missile systems and interceptor drones. He said that projects are underway to equip the National Army with such capabilities.

The minister also said that the Republic of Moldova is strengthening its capabilities to detect and monitor aerial targets, while the authorities are cooperating and exchanging information with Ukraine and the Romanian Army. According to the official, external partners are supporting projects aimed at developing the Republic of Moldova's air defense capabilities.

The statements were made after, on the morning of September 30, a drone illegally entered the airspace of the Republic of Moldova and exploded outside the built-up area of Hîrbovăț after striking a radio communications antenna tower. According to the minister, the explosion occurred at an altitude of approximately 40 meters, and fragments of the aircraft were scattered over a distance of more than 200 meters.

Anatolie Nosatîi also announced that another drone, this time powered by a jet engine, had entered the airspace of the Republic of Moldova from the east, through the Transnistrian segment, and was traveling toward Soroca at a speed of approximately 400 kilometers per hour.


“All these incidents, 84 in number, point to the Russian Federation's violation of our neutrality and national sovereignty. They show that the Russian Federation is endangering the lives of our citizens, and it does not matter which bank they are from, left or right, what language they speak, what passport they hold, or whom they support. Ultimately, the Russian Federation is the aggressor and is endangering the lives of our citizens,” Nosatîi said.


The defense minister noted that such incidents highlight the need to strengthen national capabilities for monitoring and protecting the airspace.

A drone flew over the airspace of the Republic of Moldova and crashed this morning outside the built-up area of the village of Hîrbovăț, Anenii Noi District, where it exploded.

Later, the Ministry of Defense announced that an unmanned aircraft had flown over the national airspace near the locality of Lunga in Dubăsari District at 10:26 a.m. Following the incident, a decision was made to close the airspace in the northern and central regions.