Moldova Plans to Build Its First Military Factory with Private Investment

Moldova plans to establish its first military production plant using private investment. The state will not finance the construction of the facility. Instead, the authorities intend to attract foreign investors with experience in the defense industry, Defense Minister Anatolie Nosatii said on October 21, tv8.md reports. “The government will soon present a draft law on the defense industry. This is not just about drones, but also any dual-use products that can serve defense purposes. This includes equipment and ammunition for the needs of the armed forces,” Nosatii said. The minister stressed that production should operate as a commercial enterprise involving private businesses, noting that private companies often perform better than state-owned ones. “This is a commercial activity, an industrial sector involving businesses. The state should not be running factories. That is obvious. Experience shows that private enterprises perform better,” the minister noted. Before the project can move into the implementation stage, the authorities must establish a legal framework for the defense industry. The idea of launching military production in Moldova has already sparked debate in parliament. Earlier, Igor Dodon, leader of the Party of Socialists, criticized the initiative, suggesting that the factory could also be used to supply the Ukrainian army, potentially making it a target for Russian strikes. Parliament Speaker and ruling PAS leader Igor Grosu rejected claims that the facility would produce drones for Ukraine, arguing that Moldova’s own armed forces need modernization. In June, Moldovan President Maia Sandu said the country intended to develop the production of interceptor drones and anti-drone systems. She instructed the government to prepare legislative amendments that would allow public-private partnerships to be established and foreign investment to be attracted to the sector.