Military participation in Iraq and Afghanistan wars has cost Romania over RON 3 billion

Romania spent over RON 3 billion (EUR 0.64 billion) between 2001 and 2018 to finance the participation of its military in missions as part of the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, according to a statement made by Nicolae Nasta, state secretary in the Defence Ministry (MApN), in the Deputies’ Chamber, Profit.ro reports.

The total amount spent in Afghanistan was Ron 2.45 billion, while Iraq missions have had a total cost of RON 606.18 million, according to Nasta. This would mean Romania spent an average of RON 170 million (EUR 36.5 million) per year.

The state secretary provided the information at the request of independent MP Adrian Dohotaru, the only MP who voted against Romania’s acquisition of Patriot missiles worth USD 3.9 billion in November of last year.

Last month, Defence minister Mihai Fifor had said that Romania is the fourth largest contributor of troops in Afghanistan. On September 11, he recalled that 29 Romanian military members had died in military operations in foreign countries.

In July, Romania’s Supreme Defence Council (CSAT) approved an 11 percent increase for 2019 of the number of troops Romania will make available to participate in external missions and operations, or an increase of 305 more individuals. In total, the Romanian Army will participate with 2,098 military and civil troops in actions outside the Romanian territory, while the Internal Affairs Ministry will provide 932 military members and police officers, leading to a total of 3,030 individuals.

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MApN’s 2018 budget included budgetary credits of over RON 203 million for participation in external military operations and missions.

The United States have lost 2,200 troops in the Afghanistan war, which started in 2001, and spent over USD 840 billion on military operations, reconstruction efforts and humanitarian aid. In total, the international coalition lost over 3,500 military members in Afghanistan. The number of civilians killed in the conflict is as high as 31,000.