CSAT: Strengthening US posture in our country represents strategic investment in Romania's security

Strengthening the US military posture in our country represents a strategic investment in Romania's security, the Presidential Administration announced following the meeting of the Supreme Council of National Defence (CSAT)."As the United States is in the process of reviewing its military posture in Europe, the Council assessed the current status and next steps of the bilateral dialogue regarding the presence of U.S. troops and capabilities in our country. Council members consider that measures aimed at strengthening the U.S. posture in our country represent a strategic investment in Romania's security and an essential factor for the deterrence and defense of NATO's Eastern Flank and the entire Euro-Atlantic area," reads the statement issued on Monday following the CSAT meeting.Thus, the Council members determined that the specific elements of Host Nation Support provided by Romania?tailored to the operational and logistical requirements of U.S. forces?"are currently being analyzed as part of an interagency effort that will provide the basis for adopting concrete decisions in the immediate future."The Council's agenda also included topics regarding the strengthening of the Romanian Army's operational capabilities and the adaptation of strategic planning to new geopolitical realities.During the meeting, CSAT members defined courses of action for modernizing the national defense system in line with the standards and requirements specific to the Euro-Atlantic architecture, against the backdrop of current developments in the regional and global security environment.To this end, the Council approved the Romanian Army's equipment plan for the 2027-2036 period."This strategic document ensures optimal alignment between operational requirements for military equipment and the multi-year financial resources allocated to defense. At the same time, the Plan facilitates the strengthening of existing capabilities and the introduction of new ones?sustainable, flexible, and mobile?capable of addressing current risks and threats," the Presidential Administration states.The cited source notes that Romania, alongside its allies, pledged at the 2025 NATO Summit in The Hague to increase its budget allocation to 5% of GDP by 2035: 3.5% for defense spending and 1.5% for expenditures associated with this sector."The increase in budget allocations for defense represents an opportunity for Romania's defense industry, which can thus modernize by attracting advanced technologies and know-how, including through collaboration with established companies in the field," the Presidential Administration emphasizes.At the same time, the Program for the transformation, development, and equipping of the Romanian Army through 2044 was approved; this program translates into concrete measures the recommendations contained in the Strategic Defense Review approved by the CSAT in 2025."The Romanian Army's level of ambition is defined by the need to deter, combat, and counter threats and challenges to territorial integrity, national sovereignty, stability, and economic progress, as well as by the optimal management of collective defense responsibilities. The need to enhance the combat capability of the force structure remains, requiring sufficient funding across all cost categories, with an emphasis on equipment, operations, and combat readiness," the statement notes.Regarding the development of the national defense industry?through modernization and the capacity to produce high-performance systems?the Supreme Council of National Defence (CSAT) approved the analysis document on the implementation of the SAFE program, prepared by the inter-institutional working group established at the executive level and dedicated to specific capability acquisitions."All these political, military, and industrial decisions reflect Romania's commitments to protecting national sovereignty and strengthening the security of the Allied space," the Presidential Administration stated.(Photo:https://www.presidency.ro/)