Romania is finalizing its updated National Defense Strategy for 2026–2030, which will be reviewed by the Supreme Council of National Defense (CSAT) and Parliament by November 26. The document will be the first formulated in the context of growing regional instability due to the Russian-Ukrainian war and will solidify Romania’s position as a key NATO ally on the eastern flank.
Unlike the 2020–2024 Strategy, which focused on integration with Alliance standards and army modernization, the new version identifies Russia as the primary source of hybrid threats. Key priorities include adapting the defense sector to challenges in the Black Sea region, deepening cooperation within NATO and the EU, and strengthening capabilities in cyber defense and countering disinformation. CSAT plans to establish a coordination structure and operational interagency groups for rapid response to hybrid attacks.
The new strategy will also explicitly designate corruption as a national security threat. The Romanian Intelligence Service (SRI) will be authorized to provide prosecutors with data on corruption offenses within constitutional limits.
In the medium term, the document will serve as a foundation for modernizing the defense sector and enhancing the country’s internal resilience, thereby reinforcing Romania’s role in the European collective security system.
