The major task of the Romanian Armed Forces is to promote and protect
the vital national interests, to defend and guarantee the sovereignty,
independence, territorial integrity and unity of the Romanian state, the
constitutional democracy and the principles of the rule of law. The Armed
Forces are also called upon to maintain Romania's freedom of action in
the relations developed with other states, to provide Romania's active
participation in crisis management and to support local authorities in
civil emergencies (natural disasters, industrial accidents and other contingencies).
According to current fundamental political-military options of the Romanian
state and to national traditions, Romania's Military Strategy is based
on the principle of non-aggression and it has a prevailing defensive and
active character, this in keeping with the foreign policy objectives of
the Romanian state. Consequently, Romania will employ the elements of
military power especially within its area of strategic interest, in order
to support, defend and promote national interests as directed by the national
command authority.
The Armed Forces are subordinated and will respond to the civilian democratic
leadership of the state. The legal framework of the Constitution establishes
the democratic civilian control of the Armed Forces by the political leadership
of the state - the Parliament, the President, the Supreme Council of National
Defense, the Government - and the strategic decision-making procedures.
Employing the military in the defense of our country is a political decision
adopted by the leadership of Romania.
The defense policy and the budgetary process are transparent and conducted
according to Parliament's decisions. Until the integration into the North-Atlantic
Alliance, the Military Strategy is based on the principle of credible
defensive capabilities, achieved mainly by national effort. The military
security gap will be covered by the participation to Partnership for Peace
with the North Atlantic Alliance, strategic and special partnerships,
bilateral agreements, as well as by other security arrangements with different
states.
The Strategy directs the military towards a force having enhanced capabilities,
able to undertake maneuver and decisive action. Such a force serves Romania's
interests best because it facilitates our active participation in international
security structures and adapts quickly in order to prevent regional crises
from turning into conflicts. At the same time, it forms the best foundation
for the defense of our state by own forces or in a multinational structure,
in the event we are attacked.
Developments in the strategic concepts of warfare, the increasing complexity
of the modern battlefield and the technological progress require Armed
Forces capable of conducting military operations within a joint doctrine
at strategic and operational levels. Under certain circumstances, especially
when participating in multinational operations, this principle may be
applied at the level of tactical echelons as well.
In order to accomplish these tasks, the Alliance principles are still
considered essential, as regards: allied solidarity, strategic unity,
the equitable sharing of roles, risks and responsibilities, collective
defense effort, multinational financing, support of developing ESDI and
credible deterrence.
