Shooting Drills at “Fire Shield” Exercise (video)

CHISINAU, September 20, 2018 — The military participating in the multinational exercise “Fire Shield-2018” conducted today shooting drills using National Army’s artillery systems and infantry weaponry. The action was part of the Distinguished Visitors Day attended by representatives of the Government, Parliament, ambassadors and military attaches appointed to the Republic of Moldova.

Minister of Defense Eugen Sturza mentioned that the National Army’s combat capacity building means creating better training conditions for conscripts and service members, intensive trainings, investing in infrastructure, acquiring weaponry and ammunition and it is one of the priorities of the Ministry of Defense’s leadership. At the same time, “Fire Shield” exercise is included in the objectives of army’s reformation.

“What you see today is the result of the work of a team of professional military and our partners. I think we can give them a good mark for how the Moldovan, Romanian, and American military worked together. We will continue to organize similar activities because only through joint trainings can we become interoperable and participate in peacekeeping missions”, said Eugen Sturza.

During the event, Prime Minister Pavel Filip mentioned: “The Republic of Moldova is not able to support a large army, but we are obligated to have a well-trained and professional army. And, of course, I wish for you to use your weapons only during military exercises and trainings”.

The multinational exercise “Fire Shield-2018” is conducted at the National Army Military Training Base from Bulboaca during September 17-21, 2018. The exercise brings together over 800 service members from the National Army’s artillery and infantry subunits, representatives of the Carabineer Troops Department, and contingents from Romania and the United States of America.

The exercise’s goal is the subunits’ joint training and to increase the level of interoperability between the armies of partner countries.