Moldova’s government plans to raise defence spending to 1% of GDP by 2030, according to a draft National Defence Development Programme for 2026–2030. However, a significant portion of the funding required for the initiative remains unsecured.
Moldova defence budget increase targets 1% of GDP
Currently, Moldova allocates between 0.58% and 0.65% of its GDP to defence up from around 0.3% in 2020. The new programme aims to further increase this share over the coming years.
The draft has already been reviewed at the level of state secretaries and is expected to be approved by the cabinet.
Funding gap raises questions
The total cost of the programme is estimated at more than 10.6 billion lei. Of this amount, 4.26 billion lei is expected to come from the state budget, while 3.69 billion lei may be secured through external assistance.
The remaining 2.63 billion lei currently has no identified funding sources.
Modernisation and integration goals
According to the explanatory note, the programme focuses on modernising the national defence system. Plans include upgrading military equipment, introducing advanced training technologies and improving personnel qualifications.
The document also highlights the development of mobilisation mechanisms and improved management of defence resources.
A notable element is the external dimension. The programme explicitly refers to deeper integration into the European Union’s security architecture, expanding partnerships and increasing interoperability with allied defence structures.
Broader geopolitical context
The document also references wider trends in defence spending. Since 2025, NATO members have committed politically to increasing military expenditure to up to 5% of GDP by 2035.
Although Moldova is a neutral country and not a member of NATO, such developments are shaping the broader regional security environment.
Debate over priorities
The initiative has sparked debate over budget priorities, particularly given Moldova’s broader economic and social challenges.
Some analysts argue that increasing defence spending could place additional strain on public finances, especially if funding gaps remain unresolved.
According to political analyst Mihail Ahremțev, Maia Sandu may have taken Donald Trump’s call to increase defence spending to 5% of GDP too literally. Trump’s appeal, however, was directed at NATO member states, not at neutral countries such as Moldova.
“We have more than enough problems, and they have nothing to do with the use of armed forces. Yet what we are seeing is an attempt to militarise the country, only to later use it as a bargaining chip in negotiations with Europe,” Ahremțev concluded.
At the same time, the government maintains that strengthening defence capabilities is part of a broader effort to enhance resilience and align with evolving regional security dynamics.
