Romania to spend $2.7 billion on development of NATO’s largest air base

Europe, News June 24, 2024 , by IRIA No Comments

The Romanian government has embarked on a multibillion-dollar expansion and modernization project at the Mihail Kogalniceanu Air Base, situated less than 200 kilometers from the Ukrainian border. The air base, located near a Romanian village, is set to become NATO’s largest air base in Europe.

The Mihail Kogalniceanu Air Base, which has hosted U.S. forces since 1999, is set to undergo significant upgrades. These plans include the construction of a new runway, a guard tower, and additional hangars to accommodate existing and forthcoming military assets. The estimated cost of the expansion is around $2.7 billion.

Romanian Air Force Colonel Nicolae Cretu, the base commander, explained the strategic rationale behind the expansion. “The reason why Romania decided to extend our capabilities here is the result of when Russia invaded Georgia in 2008 and later on in 2014 in Crimea [when Russia annexed the peninsula]. Our plans have been approved since 2018 for this,” Cretu said.

The base’s expansion is part of Romania’s broader efforts to bolster its defense capabilities. Romania has several ongoing acquisition programs, primarily focused on short-range and very short-range air defense systems, on which it plans to spend up to $2.1 billion. This includes the procurement of additional Patriot batteries, bringing the total to four, and participation in the joint procurement of up to 1,000 Patriot PAC-2 GEM-T missiles under the European Sky Shield Initiative.

Romania Patriot PAC-2 — *^{Romanian Patriot PAC-2 system. (Image Credit: Bogdan Pantilimon/Romanian MoD)}*

The Mihail Kogalniceanu Air Base, named after a nearby village, is evolving into a key NATO hub in Europe. This expansion comes in response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. In reaction to his invasion, NATO has increased its presence and infrastructure in several strategic locations, including Romania.

The base’s strategic importance has become evident in recent years. Its proximity to the Black Sea and Russian territory makes it a critical asset for NATO. The air base has hosted several NATO-run Enhanced Air Policing missions, including this year’s deployment of Finland’s F/A-18 Hornet fighter jets.

After the modernization project is complete, the base would house a squadron of Romanian F-16s recently acquired from Norway, MQ-9 Reaper drones, and a military city through which NATO personnel from 32 countries will rotate. The latest arrivals include Finnish forces, further bolstering the base’s multinational presence.

Romanian media reports indicate that the modernization effort aims to create a military installation comparable in size to Ramstein Air Base in Germany. However, this aspiration has not been officially confirmed by the Romanian government or NATO officials.

Overall, the expansion and modernization of the Mihail Kogalniceanu Air Base reflect Romania’s commitment to strengthening its defense capabilities and supporting NATO’s strategic objectives in the region. The investment underscores the importance of the base in projecting power and ensuring stability in Eastern Europe, particularly in the face of ongoing Russian aggression.