Moldova will receive Thales-made radar to track Russian air threats
Moldova condemns repeated violations of its airspace by Russian missiles targeting Ukraine and has received a radar system from French company Thales to monitor its airspace, Moldova's defense ministry said on Wednesday.
Prime Minister Dorin Recean stressed in a television interview on Monday that Moldova needs a modern air defense system to counter the Russian threat. “If the Kremlin decides to attack us, it will attack. And how will people defend themselves? “, he added.
Moldova announced the purchase of the Ground Master 200 radar in September [GM 200] Produced by Thales. This radar, which can detect aircraft at a distance of 250 kilometers, can be integrated into an air defense system connected to it. Moldovan Defense Minister Anatolie Nosatii described the radar as crucial to strengthening the country's air defense capabilities.
The Ground Master 200 (GM 200) radar manufactured by Thales. CHRISTOPHE ENA / AP
“The recent incidents in which our country's airspace was violated have alerted the authorities to the urgent need to strengthen Moldova's defense capabilities,” he stressed in a statement.
The radar system, the purchase of which was financed from the national defense budget, is intended to monitor the entire airspace of Moldova. The price was not specified. The army of Moldova, a former Soviet republic, is equipped with often outdated Soviet-era equipment.
Since the Russian offensive in Ukraine began in 2022, tensions between Moscow and Chisinau have sharply escalated. Moldova's current pro-European government has condemned Russia's invasion of Ukraine and claimed Moscow was hatching a plot to overthrow Ukraine. Last week, parliament adopted a new security strategy that identified “Moscow” and “corruption” as threats to the country’s security.