Romania complains about training reservists using 50-year-old tactics

24 October, 2024 Training of Romanian Army reservists. Fall 2024. Photo credits: Romanian Ministry of National Defense

Romania has complained that reservists are training with tactics that are over 50 years old and are using outdated weapons. The shortcomings were reported on the Romanian website Monitorul Apararii si Securitatii. It is noted that after the recent mobilization exercises organized by the Romanian Ministry of National Defense, two types of videos and photos are circulating online.

The official ones demonstrate impeccable training organization and those where reservists are outraged by the conditions and poor organization. The Romanian Ministry of National Defense reported that the reservists showed up at one of the military units, registered, and went to the shooting range. At the same time, the newspaper noted that the reservists complained that they were left waiting "for more than six hours at the range without water and food and were not even allowed to use the restroom during this time."

Weapons used to train Romanian army reservists.

Fall 2024. Photo credits: Romanian Ministry of National Defense

The military used assault rifles made in 1963, an AG-7 grenade launcher made in 1961, a machine gun made in 1964, and a semi-automatic sniper rifle made in 1974, etc. "Perhaps some of the reserve soldiers know these training methods well, as well as these old weapons that the parents used and even grandfathers of some young soldiers," Monitorul Apararii si Securitatii noted.

However, as noted, the reservists are not taught how to defend themselves against artillery fire and how to use and counter enemy drones, such as FPVs, which are actively used in Russia's war against Ukraine.

Training of Romanian Army reservists. Fall 2024. Photo credits: Romanian Ministry of National Defense

"It would not hurt if these training camps for reservists, in addition to reminding them of classical combat techniques, also taught them new methods of fighting drones and the use of new equipment," the publication emphasized.

In addition, Monitorul Apararii si Securitatii noted that in recent years, the Romanian army has not used mobilized reservists at all during joint exercises.

Piranha V armored personnel carrier of the Armed Forces of Romania with the UT30 MK2 combat module.

Photo from open sources

The Romanian Ministry of National Defense will allocate EUR14 billion to modernize the country's armed forces.