Bucharest, November 1, 2026 — Romania and the Republic of Moldova today took a historic step in military cooperation. In Bucharest, the two countries signed a bilateral agreement enabling the joint procurement of military vehicles produced by the Italian company Iveco Defence Vehicles (IDV).
The operation is financially supported through the European SAFE (Security Action for Europe), making it the first joint procurement initiative undertaken by the two countries’ defense ministries using this European Union financing instrument.
The signing ceremony was attended by the Romanian defense minister, Ștefan-Radu Oprea, and his Moldovan counterpart, Anatolie Nosatîi, in the presence of Romanian Prime Minister Luca Niculescu.
Delivery details and vehicle allocation
The agreement covers the total supply of 2,971 military transport platforms based on Iveco technology:
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For Romania: 2.909 tactical and transport platforms intended to modernize Bucharest’s armed forces.
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For Moldova: 62 military vehicles dedicated to the operational requirements of Chișinău’s army.
The vehicles will be assembled, integrated, and subjected to final testing at the Iveco Defence Vehicles plant located in Dâmbovița County, in Romania. The inclusion of the local supply chain ensures significant benefits for Romania’s defense and manufacturing industries.
Strategic objectives and regional impact
The agreement forms part of efforts to strengthen security on Europe’s eastern flank and pursues several key objectives:
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Modernization of Moldovan logistics: For the Republic of Moldova, the delivery will enable the gradual retirement of Soviet-era transport vehicles, replacing them with NATO-standard vehicles and improving the logistical efficiency of its armed forces.
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Tactical interoperability: Sharing the same transport vehicles will strengthen coordinated action capabilities and operational synergy between the Romanian and Moldovan armies.
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Development of local industry: Production and testing at the Dâmbovița plant will provide a direct boost to employment and Romania’s defense industrial base.
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European defense integration: The use of the SAFE mechanism demonstrates the potential of European integration and funding to support the defense of partner countries and EU members.
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