The Romanian Ministry of National Defence has asked Parliament to approve the next stages of its “Main Battle Tank” procurement program, aimed at strengthening the country’s land forces and meeting NATO and EU defense planning commitments.
Stage I (phase 2) of the program, valued at an estimated $458.2 million excluding VAT, covers the full equipping of an armored battalion with Abrams M1A2 SEPv3 main battle tanks. The package also includes machine guns, ammunition, spare parts, simulation and testing systems, transport, training, and technical support.
Phase II, with an estimated value of €6.48 billion excluding VAT, involves the purchase of 216 tanks and 76 derivatives to equip Romania’s land forces. This stage also provides for logistical support, training, and educational equipment. The program foresees industrial and technological cooperation to enable domestic production and maintenance of tanks and subsystems.
The procurement plan supports the Romanian Armed Forces Transformation Program, which sets capability targets through 2040.
The ministry noted that Stage I (phase 1) was launched in 2023 under a government-to-government agreement with the United States. That phase included the acquisition of 54 M1A2 SEPv3 tanks and 12 derivative chassis from U.S. Army stocks, at a cost of approximately $1.07 billion. Deliveries are expected to be completed in 2028.
