Moldovan Air Force

The Moldovan Air Force, a command within the National Army, is a small and modestly equipped force primarily structured for airspace surveillance, air defense, and providing support to ground troops. Its operational capabilities have been significantly constrained by limited funding since its establishment in 1992, following the dissolution of the Soviet Union.

The active aircraft inventory is minimal and completely lacks offensive capabilities. Its once-possessed fleet of around 31 MiG-29 fighter jets, inherited from the USSR, was sold or scrapped by 2006, with 21 being sold to the United States in 1997. The current fleet consists of a very small number of transport and utility aircraft and a couple of helicopters for transport and search-and-rescue missions. Given the small and aging helicopter and transport fleet, pilot training programs are limited in scope, and often supported by international partners like Romania.

Moldova's strategic doctrine is centered on defending its territorial integrity and neutrality, as enshrined in its constitution. However, faced with regional instability stemming from the war in Ukraine and the presence of Russian forces in the breakaway Transnistria region, Moldova is strengthening its defense posture through Western cooperation. The country is a member of NATO's Partnership for Peace program and has an Individual Partnership Action Plan, enhancing interoperability and supporting reforms.

Modernization is almost exclusively focused on air defense and surveillance, a critical vulnerability. The air force relies on outdated Soviet-era S-125M1 (SA-3 Goa) surface-to-air missile systems. A major strategic shift is underway, heavily supported by the European Union. In December 2023, Moldova acquired a modern Ground Master 200 (GM200) mobile radar system from France's Thales, capable of detecting targets up to 250 kilometers away. The EU has committed significant funds through the European Peace Facility, with aid in 2025 designated for new short-range air defense systems to counter threats from aircraft, helicopters, and drones. A specialized drone-detection radar is also planned for delivery in 2026.