EVOLUTION OF ROMANIA’S NATIONAL DEFENSE STRATEGY: A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF 2020-2024 AND 2025-2030 STRATEGIC FRAMEWORKS
EVOLUTION OF ROMANIA’S NATIONAL DEFENSE STRATEGY: A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF 2020-2024 AND 2025-2030 STRATEGIC FRAMEWORKS

Author(s): Simona-Daniela BORDEA, Niculai-Tudorel LEHACI
Subject(s): Security and defense, Military Sciences
Published by: Carol I National Defence University Publishing House
Keywords: National Defense Strategy; Romania; strategic comparison; military modernization; hybrid threats; cybersecurity; NATO interoperability.
Summary/Abstract: The strategic environment of Eastern Europe has undergone significant transformations over the past decade, marked by increased geopolitical tensions, the emergence of hybrid warfare, and rapid technological advancements in defense systems. This study presents a comparative analysis of Romania’s National Defense Strategies for the periods 2020-2024 and 20252030, highlighting shifts in threat assessment, strategic priorities, and military modernization policies. The 2020-2024 strategy emphasized NATO integration, conventional deterrence, and foundational modernization of defense capabilities, reflecting a relatively stable regional security environment. In contrast, the 2025-2030 strategy adopts a more proactive and multidimensional approach, prioritizing resilience against hybrid threats, cybersecurity, critical infrastructure protection, and advanced technological adoption, while maintaining interoperability with NATO and regional partners. Key differences include a heightened focus on the Black Sea region, lessons learned from the war in Ukraine, and strategic investments in emerging defense technologies. This paper evaluates the evolution of Romania’s defense posture, identifies continuity and divergence in strategic objectives, and discusses the implications for national defense planning, military simulation, and resource allocation. The comparative analysis underscores the importance of adaptive strategies in dynamic security environments and offers insights for policymakers and defense planners seeking to align national capabilities with contemporary threats and technological advancements.

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