Romania, Europes’ almost furthest state in the southeastern region, is increasingly taking on a pivotal role within NATO. The Black Sea nation’s strategic importance has been amplified due to Russian aggression against Ukraine and threats to Moldova. As part of a significant transatlantic effort to bolster its positions in the Black Sea, NATO has embarked on constructing its largest European base in Romania.
This $2.7 billion investment will expand the Romanian Air Force’s 57th Mihail Kogalniceanu Air Base, located near the Black Sea city of Constanta. The expansion aims to accommodate over 10,000 troops, including their families, significantly boosting the base’s capacity and strategic utility.
NATO began building a network of multinational battlegroups following Russia’s annexation of Crimea in 2014, with a focus on the Baltic region. The 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine prompted the alliance to strengthen these missions, establishing four battlegroups in Bulgaria, Hungary, Romania, and Slovakia. Putin’s war in Ukraine has necessitated a shift in NATO’s security strategy, with steps taken to prevent the conflict from spreading westward. Romania has now come into Putin’s crosshairs following the announcement of NATO’s plans to build Europe’s largest military base in Constanta. Russian politicians and diplomats have responded with threats. Romania had proposed the construction of this military base as early as 2019, well before Russia’s attack on Ukraine. The construction is expected to take 20 years. Andrey Klimov, Vice-Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Russian Federation Council, declared that the plan’s realization poses a “threat to Bucharest.”
“If the Romanians like it, that’s their business, but NATO’s suicidal club is dragging ordinary civilians into adventures that could end very badly for their families and children. I don’t want to scare anyone; I’m just thinking logically. This will not benefit Romania, but there will be more threats, that’s a fact,” Klimov stated in a debate reported by the Russian press.
The development of NATO’s largest base in Constanta continues the “erosion” of security in the Black Sea region, said Konstantin Gavrilov, head of the Russian delegation to the Vienna talks on military security and arms control.
In 2019, the Romanian government approved the expansion of the Mihail Kogălniceanu Air Base, used by the U.S. military since 1999. The development, funded in phases from the national budget, began in 2022 and is set to be completed by 2030. Although designed for 10,000 soldiers, the base will still be less than one-fifth the size of Germany’s Ramstein base but will be a giant in Eastern Europe. Since February 2022, the base has proven its worth, hosting thousands of elite soldiers equipped with tanks, helicopters, and fighter jets, operating air policing missions near Romania’s borders.
The war in Ukraine has undoubtedly positioned Romania as a central node in NATO’s defense and resilience strategies, particularly against potential Russian advances towards the Danube Delta. Military analysts highlight that for the first time, NATO faces the aggressor it was created to counter, and Romania is fortunate to be part of the world’s strongest military alliance. A January 2024 survey indicated that 70% of Romanians trust NATO to defend their country if the war reaches their borders.
However, the Romanian military faces challenges. While sophisticated defense systems have been purchased, soldiers lack proper boots, and basic weapons are outdated Soviet-era Kalashnikovs. Romania does not yet manufacture NATO-compatible ammunition, and decision-making in Bucharest is slow, seemingly detached from the reality of the war beyond its borders. Nevertheless, Romania pledges to allocate 2.5% of its GDP to defense and is one of the most enthusiastic supporters of the Atlantic alliance from the former Eastern Bloc, alongside Poland. NATO is pleased with Romania’s response, and one of the Romanian Intelligence Service (SRI) leaders stated that Bucharest will become NATO’s second-largest provider of intelligence information.
Twenty years after joining NATO, Romania is protected by the alliance on land and in the air, though it remains most vulnerable at sea. The nearest Romanian port is just 500 kilometers from Russia’s largest “nuclear port” in Sevastopol. Additionally, the Black Sea, the Bosphorus, and the Dardanelles are controlled by Turkey, which holds the keys to these strategic straits and refuses to open them to allied warships. The Montreux Convention governing passage through the straits does not aid NATO in the Ukrainian conflict, and Turkey continues to waver between East and West according to its interests.
NATO Airbase on the Black Sea
Currently, 5,500 NATO soldiers, half of whom are American, are stationed in Romania, mainly at the Kogalniceanu base, while others operate the missile defense shield from Deveselu. France has announced plans to send 4,000 soldiers next year, increasing the number of troops stationed in Cincu by 1,500. By next year, around 10,000 NATO-standard equipped soldiers will be stationed at the base. Both the Romanian military and NATO commanders in Romania often criticize the legal constraints they face. The primary issue is that training must be confined to designated sites. Romanian Chief of Staff Gheorghiță Vlad has even requested legislative changes, as current laws prevent action against enemy aircraft entering Romanian airspace until an emergency is declared. This is just one of many legal challenges that necessitate urgent legislative reforms in Romania.
According to military experts, the development of the Mihail Kogălniceanu base serves several key objectives. Firstly, such a large NATO base presents a significant deterrent to Russia, compelling the Kremlin to react accordingly. This strategic point provides confidence to the population, assuring them of protection against Russia. Secondly, the presence of 10,000 soldiers and their families creates local and broader economic demands, benefiting Romanian companies and local employment.
Moreover, the Constanta port will significantly benefit from the development, continuously providing work due to the military port’s operations. However, despite two and a half years since the start of the Ukrainian conflict, Romania’s road and rail infrastructure connecting to the West remains underdeveloped, and local arms factories have barely recovered, with procurement processes lagging behind needs.
Nonetheless, Romania is stronger and more confident in its defense capabilities than it was 20 years ago, though its greatest weaknesses still stem from internal issues. The political class delays essential changes needed for national defense in wartime, often showing indecisiveness regarding national interests. Without the United States pushing for critical decisions, Bucharest might hesitate as much as Budapest. In summary, the new NATO base in Romania marks a significant strategic development, enhancing the country’s defense capabilities while posing a deterrent to Russian aggression. However, it also highlights the need for ongoing political and military reforms to ensure Romania’s security and alignment with NATO standards.
