Romania Initiates Major Expansion of Strategic Air Base Near Ukraine Amid Rising Tensions

 

The Romanian government has launched a significant expansion and modernization project for the Mihail Kogălniceanu Air Base, situated less than 200 kilometers from the Ukrainian border. This multibillion-euro initiative aims to upgrade the base, which has been hosting U.S. forces since 1999, with new military equipment and infrastructure.

Defense Minister Angel Tîlvăr announced the project on June 11 during a ceremony at the base. The expansion includes constructing a new runway, a guard tower, and additional hangars to accommodate existing and future military assets. The total cost is estimated at €2.5 billion (approximately $2.7 billion).

Col. Nicolae Cretu, the base commander, explained that the decision to expand the base stems from Russia's actions in Georgia in 2008 and Crimea in 2014. Romania’s plans for the base have been in place since 2018, well before Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

Romania is currently focused on acquiring short-range and very-short-range air defense systems, with planned expenditures up to $2.1 billion. Additionally, the country received two more Patriot batteries last year, bringing the total to four, and is participating in the European Sky Shield Initiative to procure up to 1,000 Patriot PAC-2 GEM-T missiles.

The strategic location of the Mihail Kogălniceanu Air Base has been crucial for Romania and NATO allies, particularly noted during the Iraq war for projecting force over long distances. Recent enhancements have included hosting NATO Enhanced Air Policing missions and the first deployment of Finnish F/A-18 Hornet fighter jets.

Romanian media suggested the modernization could result in a facility comparable in size to Germany's Ramstein Air Base, though this has not been officially confirmed. With its access to the Black Sea and proximity to Russian territory, the air base remains a pivotal asset for NATO operations in the region.