CHISINAU, October 24. /TASS/. The Moldovan and US military will hold a joint exercise codenamed Aurochs Partner on the country’s territory from October 25 to 30, the Moldovan Defense Ministry's press service has said.
"More than 200 soldiers from the Fulger special battalion as well as the US Army will take part in the drills to perform parachute jumps in the districts of Floresti, Falesti and the city of Balti," the press service said. NATO’s C-17 Globemaster military transport aircraft will be used.
This year, there have been seven military exercises on Moldovan territory. Some were held near the security zone, guarded by Russian peacekeepers. The number of exercises by reservists has doubled. Moldovan troops participated in five exercises abroad.
Concern over the Moldovan military’s growing activity was previously expressed by the leadership of unrecognized Transnistria. The Moldovan authorities have also increased the military budget by 68% to $89 million, which is about 0.5% of the GDP. Chisinau has requested military assistance from the EU and the US, which have significantly increased the supply of small arms and other weapons.