August M
Romania plans to tighten defence spending while launching a new volunteer military program, Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan told Digi24.ro. The scheme will begin with a small intake and scale up gradually, as the government seeks to balance budget constraints with the need to protect national security.
Romania’s government is preparing a careful recalibration of defense spending as it moves ahead with plans for a new volunteer military scheme.
Officials say the shift must protect national security while ensuring that resources are used more efficiently.
Cost-cutting without weakening defense
According to Digi24.ro, Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan said ministries will face tighter financial scrutiny as part of broader spending reductions.
He emphasised that the Defence Ministry must “reduce as much as possible, without affecting our defense capacity,” noting that some areas of government cannot afford staff cuts because they already face shortages.
Bolojan said institutions such as the Ministry of Interior and Ministry of Defense “have different options to optimize your expenses,” and that any adjustments must be based on detailed calculations rather than across-the-board reductions.
Gradual start for volunteer soldiers
Digi24.ro reported that Bolojan expects the defence budget to increase slightly next year, in line with commitments made alongside other European countries.
This rise, he said, will allow the volunteer program to begin operating.
He argued strongly for a phased rollout. “My opinion is that we have to start gradually, because when new people enter a new procedure, things have to be settled,” he said.
Bolojan proposed a modest first intake: “I don’t know, 1,000, 2,000, 3,000… it has to increase gradually in the coming years, depending on how Romanians react.”
Preparing for 2026 launch
The prime minister said the program requires time to stabilise, describing it as “a new thing that requires a settling-in.”
He indicated that 2026 should mark the point when the system becomes fully operational, but only after the Defence Ministry sizes its plans according to budget realities.
Officials will ultimately decide next year’s volunteer intake based on available funding and how quickly training structures can adapt.
Sources: Digi24.ro
