Record budget for defence requested in Romania

Romania’s Ministry of Defence has requested a record budget for 2026, seeking 57 billion lei in direct allocations — equivalent to 2.81% of GDP — as well as 112 billion lei in commitment appropriations to sustain long-term procurement programmes, such as the acquisition of F-35 aircraft and Abrams tanks.

Only in the last two years has the budget allocated to defense exceeded 2% of GDP, with a projection to reach a maximum of 2.3% last year. This comes after it was well below the 2% threshold between 2019 and 2023. But critics argue that substantial investment in equipment has not improved basic operational readiness. Experts and former officials argue that, as a NATO front-line state, Romania requires a defence budget of at least 2.75–3% of GDP, as well as greater parliamentary oversight and political engagement.

Meanwhile General Alexus G. Grynkewich, NATO Supreme Allied commander Europe (SACEUR), said on Tuesday in Sibiu that he is confident Russia has been deterred from attacking a member of the Alliance thanks to the preparedness of the Romanian Army, but stressed that the outcome of the war in Ukraine and the possibility of a future Russian strike remain "impossible to predict."

Romanian Chief of Defense Staff General Gheorghita Vlad echoed the uncertainty, noting that Russia is "an unpredictable state actor."

That is why we are preparing regional plans, mainly to deter Russia. I am convinced that together with our allies we will have the right response if this happens. Yet I cannot make a prediction for such an action in the near future, Vlad said.