Romania and Poland strengthen defense cooperation through new agreement

Romania and Poland have signed a letter of intent to enhance cooperation in the defense sector, marking a significant step towards bolstering regional security. The agreement was formalized at the headquarters of the Romanian Ministry of National Defense, signaling a commitment to work together more closely.

General-Major Ion-Cornel Pleșa, who heads the General Directorate for Armaments within Romania's Ministry of National Defense, and Brigadier General Romuald Maksymiuk, leader of the General Directorate for Armaments in Poland's Ministry of Defense, were key figures in this collaborative effort. Their joint initiative aims to support the defense industries of both countries, enhancing their capabilities and ensuring a stronger united front.

The cooperation will take place both bilaterally and within the frameworks of NATO and the European Union. A significant project highlighted in the agreement is the joint acquisition of a loitering munition system, which is set to equip the Land and Naval Forces with 70 systems.

This joint procurement will be managed by Poland, streamlining the process and allowing for shared resources and expertise. Additionally, Romania is set to benefit from the SAFE instrument, which allocates a total of 16.68 billion euros for defense improvements. The European Commission has already made the first payment of 2.5 billion euros in August 2026, further supporting the development of defense capabilities in the region.

Sorin Moldovan, the State Secretary and head of the Department for Defense Policy, Planning, and International Relations within Romania's Ministry, and Magdalena Sobkowiak-Czarnecka, State Secretary in the Polish Ministry of Defense, are also pivotal in fostering this partnership, ensuring that both nations can effectively collaborate on defense initiatives.