Moldova Military Power Ranking 2025
MPR Rank: 131st
MPR SCORE: 236
MPR Index: 0.0629 (1.0000 is perfect)
Reverse MPR Index: 0.8881 (0.0000 is perfect)
Z Score: -0.563 (standard deviations above the mean)
Overview
Moldova ranks 131st globally in the 2025 Military Power Rankings. Its armed forces, the Moldovan National Army, are primarily responsible for national defense, internal stability, and sovereignty protection, particularly in relation to the unresolved conflict in Transnistria, a breakaway region backed by Russian forces. Moldova maintains a constitutional policy of neutrality, refraining from membership in any formal military alliances, while maintaining close ties with NATO through the Partnership for Peace framework.
The Moldovan military is small, lightly armed, and historically underfunded, but has undergone gradual professionalization, with Western-supported training, mobility enhancement, and limited modernization of logistics and command systems. Defense efforts are concentrated on homeland defense, peacekeeping readiness, and strategic resilience, rather than force projection or deterrence. Moldova’s unique geopolitical position, bordering Ukraine and containing a frozen conflict zone, shapes its defense posture and security priorities.
Strengths
1. Focus on Territorial Defense and Political Neutrality
Moldova’s military doctrine emphasizes defensive preparedness, crisis management, and sovereignty assurance, avoiding entanglement in regional conflicts while maintaining readiness for internal and border-related challenges.
2. NATO Partnership and Western Support for Reform
Despite its neutrality, Moldova benefits from NATO interoperability programs, EU trust funds, and U.S.-sponsored modernization efforts, improving logistics, strategic planning, and civil-military integration.
3. Professionalization and Institutional Reform
Ongoing reforms have improved officer training, force retention, and mobility-oriented restructuring, moving the military away from conscription dependence toward a leaner, professional model.
Why Moldova Is Still Ranked 131st
1. Limited Equipment and No Strategic Capabilities
Moldova’s armed forces lack tanks, combat aircraft, air defense systems, and missile capabilities, leaving the country without credible deterrence against peer or hybrid threats.
2. No Power Projection or Reinforcement Capacity
The military has no naval force, no strategic lift, and minimal reserve depth, making it wholly dependent on local deployments, with no capacity to project force or sustain extended operations.
3. Vulnerability to External Influence and Internal Fragmentation
The ongoing presence of Russian forces in Transnistria, coupled with Moldova’s internal political divisions, complicates military command autonomy, defense planning, and national cohesion in crisis scenarios.
Conclusion
Moldova’s armed forces are structured for minimalist defense, territorial integrity, and domestic stabilization, not for external engagement or strategic deterrence. Despite their limited firepower, Moldova’s military benefits from Western-backed reforms, a stable neutrality policy, and increasing professionalism. Its low global ranking reflects capability limitations, though not a lack of institutional progress or regional importance, particularly in the context of Eastern European security dynamics.
Military Strength and Force Projection
Active Military Personnel: 6,000
Reserve Personnel: 60,000
Paramilitary Forces: 2,500 (border troops and internal forces)
Army Personnel: 5,000
Navy Personnel: 0 (landlocked)
Air Force Personnel: 1,000
Ground Forces
Main Battle Tanks (MBTs): 50+ (T-55 and T-64, mostly inactive)
Armored Fighting Vehicles (AFVs): 150+
Artillery Pieces (Towed & Self-Propelled): 100+
Multiple Launch Rocket Systems (MLRS): 20+
Air Force
Combat Aircraft: 0
Attack Helicopters: 0
Transport Aircraft: 6+
Training Aircraft: 4+
Aircraft Breakdown:
An-2 and An-26 Transport Aircraft: In limited service
Mi-8 Utility Helicopters: Operational
No modern combat airframes
Naval Forces
Moldova is a landlocked country and maintains no naval forces.
Missile Capabilities
Moldova does not operate any missile systems. The country relies entirely on legacy artillery systems, mortars, and light anti-tank and anti-air weapons for national defense.
Strategic Partnerships
While officially neutral, Moldova cooperates with NATO through the Partnership for Peace and Individual Partnership Action Plans. It receives non-lethal military assistance and modernization support from the United States, Romania, and EU countries. Moldova also contributes personnel to UN peacekeeping missions and participates in EUFOR exercises.
Military History & Combat Experience
Moldova’s military history is defined by its post-Soviet formation, the Transnistrian conflict, and its evolving role in peacekeeping and internal stabilization, rather than foreign warfighting or regional interventions.
Formation and Soviet Legacy (1991–1992):
Moldova’s armed forces were formed after the dissolution of the Soviet Union, inheriting Soviet equipment, doctrine, and personnel infrastructure, which heavily shaped its early military development.Transnistrian War (1992):
Moldova’s only major conflict occurred in 1992, when it fought a short but intense war with separatist forces in Transnistria, who were backed by Russia’s 14th Army. The conflict ended in a ceasefire, but left Russian troops stationed in Transnistria, a situation that continues to constrain Moldova’s sovereignty and security planning.Post-War Demilitarization and Peacekeeping Role:
Since the ceasefire, Moldova has focused on demilitarization, civil-military professionalism, and participation in small international peacekeeping missions, such as in Kosovo (KFOR) and UN deployments, emphasizing military police, logistics, and disaster response.NATO and EU Military Cooperation (2000s–present):
Moldova has deepened engagement with NATO’s Partnership for Peace, receiving training and advisory support from Romania, the United States, and Germany. This cooperation has resulted in non-lethal aid deliveries, interoperability development, and cybersecurity improvements.Ukraine War Spillover Preparedness (2022–present):
The Russian invasion of Ukraine prompted Moldova to enhance border surveillance, airspace monitoring, and civil protection planning, though the military itself remains limited in its ability to respond to high-intensity threats.
Moldova’s military experience reflects a post-conflict defense force navigating a frozen conflict environment, with a mission centered on stability, modernization, and neutrality-based security policy, rather than conventional warfare or regional dominance.
General Information
Demographics and Geography
Population: ~2.5 million (2024 est., excl. Transnistria)
Population Available for Military Service: ~950,000
Geographic Area: 33,846 km²
Land Boundaries: 1,390 km
Bordering Countries: Romania, Ukraine
Coastline: 0 km (landlocked)
Climate: Moderate continental; warm summers, mild winters
Terrain: Rolling steppe with moderate hills
Natural Resources: Lignite, phosphorite, gypsum, limestone
Proven Oil Reserves: None
Proven Natural Gas Reserves: None
Economic Indicators
Defense Budget (2025): ~$370 million USD
Defense Budget as % of GDP: ~1.7%
GDP (PPP): ~$35 billion USD
GDP per Capita (PPP): ~$13,500
External Debt: ~$8 billion USD
Military Expenditure Trend (last 5 years): Increasing amid security fears and NATO cooperation
Military Infrastructure and Readiness
Military Service Obligation: Mandatory for men (12 months)
Primary Defense Focus: Homeland defense, counterintelligence, NATO cooperation
Military Industry Base: Limited; light arms and vehicle maintenance
Cyber/Electronic Warfare Capability: Developing
Nuclear Warhead Inventory: None (non-nuclear state)
Major Military Districts / Commands: General Staff under National Army structure
Missile Inventory Highlights: Short-range artillery, RPGs, MANPADS
Reservist Call-up Readiness / Timeline: Moderate; 30–45 days
Reservist Force Size: ~25,000
Space, Intelligence, and Strategic Infrastructure
Space or Satellite Programs: None
Military Satellite Inventory: None
Intelligence Infrastructure: Security and Intelligence Service (SIS), Military Counterintelligence
Intelligence Sharing Partnerships: NATO (limited), Romania, EU
Airports (Total): ~7
Major Military Airports: Chișinău
Naval Power and Maritime Logistics
Merchant Marine Fleet: Minimal
Major Ports: Giurgiulești (on Danube)
Naval Infrastructure: Riverine patrols only
Naval Replenishment Capability: Very limited
Domestic Mobility and Infrastructure
Railway Network: ~1,200 km
Roadways: ~12,700 km
Energy and Fuel Logistics
Oil Production: None
Energy Imports: High dependency, diversifying from Russia
Strategic Petroleum Reserves: Maintains limited national reserves
Defense Production and Strategic Forces
Domestic Defense Production: Uniforms, light weapons
Military Installations (Domestic): Chișinău, Bălți, Cahul
Military Installations (Overseas): Peacekeeping in Kosovo
Foreign Military Personnel Presence: Russian forces in Transnistria
Defense Alliances: NATO PfP, EU cooperation, bilateral with Romania
Strategic Airlift Capability: Light utility aircraft, helicopter fleet
Wartime Industrial Surge Capacity: Low
Research and Industry Support
Defense R&D Investment: Minimal
Key Wartime Industries Beyond Defense: Agriculture corps, fuel import logistics, national road system
Political and Administrative Structure
Capital: Chișinău
Founding Date: August 27, 1991 (independence from USSR)
System of Government: Unitary parliamentary republic
