Romania and Moldova sign joint SAFE defence procurement for 62 IVECO trucks

A joint purchase under the SAFE programme

Romania and the Republic of Moldova signed documents at Palatul Victoria in Bucharest on Monday, 2 November 2026, making their defence ministries partners in a joint procurement financed through the European SAFE instrument. The project covers multifunctional wheeled vehicle transport platforms, which Prime Minister Luca Niculescu said are included in Romania's investment plan for its defence industry. Defence Minister Ștefan-Radu Oprea and his Moldovan counterpart Anatolie Nosatîi attended the ceremony, which began at 9:00 and lasted about 30 minutes according to Adevărul. Niculescu described the agreement as a first for the two ministries and said the SAFE allocation gives both countries a chance to protect their territory and citizens.

“Through today's agreement the defence ministries of Romania and the Republic of Moldova will become, for the first time, partners in a joint procurement run through the SAFE programme.”

Who signed what

The Romanian Defence Ministry's Directorate General for Armaments, Moldova's Agency for Resource Assurance and Asset Administration (AARAP) and the Italian company IDV Defence Vehicles S.p.A. signed an addendum to a framework agreement concluded in 2019 between the Romanian ministry and the Italian firm. Under the addendum, AARAP becomes the contracting authority for buying IVECO trucks for the Moldovan army. Major General Ion-Cornel Pleșa, head of the Romanian ministry's armaments directorate, and Colonel Stanislav Pojar, director of AARAP, signed the addendum. On the same occasion, AARAP and IDV Defence Vehicles signed subsequent contract no. 4, which provides for 62 IVECO trucks in three configurations for the Moldovan army.

Romania's fleet and economic stake

The 2019 framework agreement covers 2,909 multifunctional wheeled transport platforms, IVECO trucks, for the Romanian army. As of 30 October 2026, 2,039 of these platforms had been delivered to the Romanian army. Niculescu said production, integration and final testing of the IVECO platforms will take place in Romania, bringing investment and jobs to the country. Oprea said the project is the first SAFE procurement in which Romania leads a joint purchase with Moldova, and he linked the 62 vehicles for Moldova to interoperability and logistics integration. He also said Romania is starting to export from production capacity already developed locally.

Covered by 2019 framework2,909

Delivered by 30 Oct 20262,039

Covered by 2019 framework

2909 platforms

Delivered by 30 Oct 2026

2039 platforms

Data from the article text

Security concerns on the Prut and the Black Sea

Oprea told the ceremony that Moldova's security is part of Romania's security and that both countries face a threat from drones that is almost daily. He described the Black Sea as 'turbulent' at present, which he said makes information exchange and joint action more important.

“The security of the Republic of Moldova means the security of Romania as well.”

Niculescu said his talks with Moldovan Prime Minister Vasile Tofan covered protection against Russian attacks and drone incursions, which he said are happening more often. He cited radar systems of the Romanian defence ministry that detected drones entering national airspace without authorisation in the north-east of the country. He said joint anti-drone programmes are now under discussion between the two governments. Nosatîi, speaking at the event, said:

“Peace and stability are built through common understandings, but also through concrete actions.”

Nosatîi gave assurances that Moldova is open to the partnership and thanked Romania for its support.