Igor Grosu announces drone production in Moldova but rejects their use by Ukraine

Moldova intends to develop its own production of dual-use drones, primarily for domestic needs rather than to supply equipment to Ukraine, Parliament Speaker Igor Grosu said on Friday, according to Reuters. The announcement was made at an international security forum hosted by the Republic of Moldova.

Grosu explained that current legislation does not allow such activities and that Parliament will have to amend the legal framework. The drones are expected to be used for national security, emergency response and agriculture. The official explicitly rejected the possibility that they would be intended for Ukraine, which is at war with Russia.

The initiative comes as authorities in Chișinău consider the country’s air security increasingly vulnerable. According to Grosu, 88 violations of Moldovan airspace have been recorded since Russia’s invasion in February 2022, with some drones and missiles crashing on the territory of the Republic of Moldova.

President Maia Sandu said that domestic production of defense equipment is essential for future planning, while the legislative amendments are expected to be presented to Parliament shortly. Moldova is pursuing membership in the European Union by 2030.