George Vișan

George Vișan is an associate researcher at the Romania Energy Center (ROEC).

Articles by George Vișan

Guardian of the Danube: Romania’s Mixed Progress in Implementing a Black Sea Strategy

Executive Summary Romania’s maritime environment consists of the Danube River and the Black Sea. The river links the country to the sea providing an important trade connection with the rest

The Romanian Corvette Program Saga (Part One)

In November 2016, the Romanian government decided to begin the first national warship-building program since the fall of Communism in 1989. More than four years have passed since this decision

Romania’s New National Defense Strategy Irks Kremlin (Part Two)

*To read Part One, please click here. A deeper look at Romania’s new national defense strategy, taken up for consideration by the parliament on June 3, provides some answers

Romania’s New National Defense Strategy Irks Kremlin (Part One)

Romania’s new national defense strategy for 2020–2024 has just entered parliamentary debate and is already generating international controversy. The 46-page document (Hotnews.ro, June 4) has drawn Moscow’s ire because it defines

Romania’s Danube Flotilla: An Unparalleled Capability on NATO’s Southeastern Flank (Part Two)

*To read Part One, please click here. The Romanian Danube Flotilla is Europe’s largest riverine naval force, representing a unique capability, unmatched by any of the other European allies

Romania’s Danube Flotilla: An Unparalleled Capability on NATO’s Southeastern Flank (Part One)

The Danube is the second-longest river in Europe and one of its main transport and communication routes. In terms of economic value, only the Rhine River is more important for

Romania’s Military Procurement Hits Multiple Roadblocks

Though well into the second half of 2019, the Romanian government has still not signed any major arms procurement deals this year. If this situation persists, Romania risks failing to

Romania Undertakes Naval Modernization Program (Part Two)

*To read Part One, please click here. Less than two weeks after ringing in the New Year, the Romanian government halted its naval modernization plans due to legal and

Romania Undertakes Naval Modernization Program (Part One)

The Romanian Defense Ministry will announce, on November 15, the winner of a tender to acquire four multirole corvettes to equip Romania’s Naval Forces (Adevărul, October 26). This announcement will

Romania’s Air Defenses Are Being Stretched to the Limit

Air defense is crucial for the security of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization’s (NATO) eastern flank. Yet, despite an ambitious modernization drive, spurned on one hand by a mounting Russian

Romania at the Brussels Summit: A Less Than Expected Result

As the recent (July 11–12) North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) summit in Brussels, Belgium, came to a close, Romania’s foreign policy establishment put up a brave face and announced to

Romania’s Poor Infrastructure Undercuts Its Defense Efforts

Romania’s lack of modern infrastructure hampers its economic development as well its security and defense policies. Without up-to-date roads, highways and rail links, Romania cannot use its interior lines to

Romania and the Challenges of Spending 2 Percent of GDP on Defense

Mihai Fifor, the Romanian defense minister, admitted before a joint session of the parliament’s national security and defense committees that the country did not manage to spend 2 percent of

Romania Prepares to Modernize Its Helicopter Fleet

As part of the drive to bolster its defense capabilities, Romania is laying ambitious plans to replace and modernize its helicopter fleet. This process will have a significant impact in

Growing Submarine Threat in the Black Sea

In the four years that have passed since Russia annexed Crimea, the number of Russian submarines active in the Black Sea has grown from one to seven. These submarines pose

Romania Consolidates Its Defense Posture

As 2017 draws to a close, Romania is doubling down on its defense posture. Through a series of transformative policies and military acquisitions, Bucharest is trying to meet the Russian

Romania on Course to Revamp Its Air Defenses

Faced with Russia’s military buildup in the Black Sea, Romania is set to acquire US-made Patriot anti-aircraft and missile-defense systems as well as 36 F-16 fighters in order to bolster

How to Spend on Defense: Romania’s 2 Percent Conundrum

In January 2015, in the aftermath of Russia’s aggression in Ukraine and calls by the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and the United States for Allies to increase their defense

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Articles by George Vișan