The Military-Industrial Complex in the Transnistrian Region: a Threat to the National Security of the Republic of Moldova

Abstract

The military-industrial complex in the Transnistrian region of the Republic of Moldova, a territory outside the effective constitutional control of state authorities, constitutes a major risk factor to national security. This article analyzes the military, political, and geopolitical dimensions of this complex, highlighting its destabilizing impact on the security architecture of the Republic of Moldova and the South-Eastern European region. The article also examines the historic evolution and current activities of several industrial
enterprises in the Transnistrian region involved in the unauthorized production and storage of weapons and ammunition, as well as the strategic relevance of the Cobasna military depot, considered one of the largest storage facilities for conventional ammunition in South-Eastern Europe. Thus, the research demonstrates that maintaining the military-industrial complex and significant ammunition stockpiles in the Transnistrian region generates persistent threats to the security of the Republic of Moldova, while also contributing to regional instability and increased risks to European security.