Middle East War: Romania allows the US to use its bases for refueling combat aircraft
On Wednesday, March 11, Romania approved the US to refuel aircraft at its airbases on national territory to support those involved in the Middle East conflict.
The country's parliament later passed a related proposal submitted by President Nicușor Dan to the National Defense Council, although the classified defense document was not made public.
President Dan earlier stated that this move involves "receiving aerial refueling tankers, some surveillance equipment, and some satellite communication equipment." He emphasized, "These devices enhance Romania's security and are defensive equipment that does not have any armed function."
Official sources said that the US will be able to use two Romanian airbases - Mihai Draghici Airbase and Campia Turzii Airbase - for an initial period of 90 days. At the same time, the U.S. will increase its military presence in Romania by 400 personnel, distributed between these two bases.
The Mihai Draghici Airbase, located in southeastern Romania near the Black Sea, is the largest U.S. military base in the country. Since 1999, the U.S. has used this base, participating in combat operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Last October, the U.S. decided to withdraw some troops from Romania, but about 1,000 U.S. soldiers remained, with 800 stationed at the Mihai Draghici base. The Romanian authorities plan to invest over 2 billion euros to expand the base, aiming to make it one of the largest airbases in Europe by 2040.
Source: rfi
Original: toutiao.com/article/1859400792646668/
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