Bucharest (Agencies): Romania has embarked on the reconstruction of an airbase that will soon become NATO’s largest facility in Europe. Situated near the city of Constanta on the Black Sea, approximately 130 kilometers from the Ukrainian border, this strategic base is set to play a crucial role in the region.
Once the expansion of the Mihail Kogalniceanu Romanian Air Force 57th Air Base is complete, it will have the capacity to permanently host around 10,000 NATO servicemen and their families. This move comes in response to the evolving geopolitical context, particularly the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
The ambitious project, with an estimated cost of €2.5 billion ($2.7 billion), encompasses the construction of a new runway, state-of-the-art aircraft hangars, fuel depots, and ammunition storage facilities. Additionally, the base will provide essential amenities such as accommodation for personnel, schools, kindergartens, shops, and even its own hospital.
The facility is strategically positioned at the Mihail Kogalniceanu International Airport, adjacent to the port city of Constanta on the Black Sea. Currently, the base hosts approximately 5,000 NATO soldiers, primarily from the United States.
The groundwork for the expansion is already underway, and the long-term plan involves connecting the existing runway at the base with a new one, seamlessly integrating it with the infrastructure of the international airport. However, no specific deadline for project completion has been provided.