Sandu says Moldova to boost air defense against Russian drone incursions

Moldovan President Maia Sandu told a meeting of the National Security Council that the country will keep investing resources to develop and improve its air defense system in response to the growing threat of Russian drones. She noted that drone technology is evolving rapidly, with more advanced versions capable of bypassing existing air defenses appearing every few months.

According to Sandu, Moldova has already recorded 39 airspace violations in 2026, compared with 17 in 2025. She said the country's defense system relies on two components — detection and neutralization — both of which need strengthening.

Sandu acknowledged that thirty years of neglecting air defense cannot be fixed in five, but said Moldova is working with partners to speed up the process. The army currently has portable anti-aircraft missile systems, anti-aircraft machine guns and electronic warfare equipment, though these are limited to protecting critical infrastructure sites. The army is working to expand its air defense coverage, and the Defense Ministry has received 120 million euros from the European Union to purchase a medium-range air defense system.

Sandu also said Moldova is strengthening partnerships with neighboring countries to improve information exchange on aerial threats, while the government works with partners on modern, effective and cheaper solutions to counter drones. She stressed that any drone violating the country's airspace poses a danger to people, and that Russia bears sole responsibility for it.

Until the MD-Alert warning system becomes operational, authorities will continue determining how to notify the public during crises. The system, which costs 5 million euros to implement, still needs time before it is ready. On September 21, Moldova's Defense Ministry reported two airspace violations within a single day, and the same night Romania scrambled fighter jets over an aerial target near the border.