Moldovan president seeks interceptor drone development

Moldovan President Maia Sandu has called for new legislation to support the development of the country's defence industry, saying Moldova needs high-technology interceptor drones in response to security risks highlighted by the war in neighbouring Ukraine.

Speaking in a podcast with a local blogger that was broadcast on June 7, Sandu said recent incidents involving Russian drones near Moldova's borders underscored the need to strengthen the country's defensive capabilities, Reuters reports. 

Moldova, which aims to join the European Union by 2030, has reported numerous cases of Russian drones crossing its airspace or drone debris falling near border communities since the start of the war in Ukraine.

Sandu expressed particular concern over a drone strike last month on a residential building in the Romanian city of Galati, near the borders with Moldova and Ukraine, which injured two people.

She said legislative changes were needed to allow Moldova, whose constitution defines it as a neutral state, to develop its domestic arms industry.

"Those who want our country to be completely defenceless must understand that there is a risk that drones will fall on us and we won't be able to do anything about it," she said. "I have asked the government, particularly in the context of recent events, to begin introducing or preparing legislative amendments."

According to Sandu, the proposed legislation would enable public-private partnerships in weapons development and include mechanisms to attract foreign investment into the sector.

The president also revealed that Moldova has begun consultations with Ukraine on drone development, seeking to benefit from Kyiv's experience in countering Russian aerial attacks.

"Ukrainians are the best in terms of interceptor drones," she said. "We will try to secure technology from there to the extent that we can with our capabilities. In order to use these technologies, we must first build up a team of experts."

Moldovan authorities say the country's military has not intervened in more than 20 incidents involving Russian drones entering Moldovan airspace or drone debris landing near populated areas, highlighting the limitations of its current air defence capabilities.

By Sabina Mammadli