The independent resource on global security
Romania and Black Sea Security
The Black Sea region is experiencing a changing military balance. The six littoral states (Bulgaria, Georgia, Romania, Russia, Turkey and Ukraine) intensified their efforts to build up their military potential after Russia’s takeover of Crimea and the start of the internationalized civil war in eastern Ukraine in 2014.
The events of 2014 have clearly had an impact on Romania’s perception of threats. Although official documents published by Romania since 2014 do not explicitly refer to Russia as a threat, they do raise concerns about security in the Black Sea region. Romania’s defence policy has also prioritized the modernization of its armed forces. As a member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), Romania has emphasized the strategic significance of the Black Sea region in NATO discussions.
Contents
I. Background
II. Defence policy
III. Armed forces structure
IV. Armed forces deployment
V. Military spending
VI. Arms holdings and acquisitions
VII. Conclusions
ABOUT THE AUTHOR(S)/EDITORS
Siemon T. Wezeman is a Senior Researcher in the SIPRI Arms Transfers Programme.
Alexandra Kuimova Alexandra Kuimova is a Researcher with UNIDIR’s Conventional Arms and Ammunition Programme. She was previously a Researcher with the SIPRI Arms Transfers Programme.