Romanian lawmakers vote to approve $1.1 billion Abrams acquisition
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Loading... - Ramos Daniel
- 02 Jun 2023
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The Commission for Defense, Public Order, and National Security in the lower chamber of Romania's Parliament, known as the Chamber of Deputies, has granted approval to the National Defence Ministry's request for the procurement of 54 pre-owned M1A2 Abrams SEPv3 tanks from the United States.
According to official documents acquired by local news site DefenseRomania.ro, the proposed acquisition of 54 tanks, inclusive of accompanying equipment and services, is estimated to have a value of approximately 1 billion euros ($1.1 billion).
Given the ruling tripartite coalition's significant majority in both chambers, it is expected that the parliament will soon pass the necessary legislation to authorize the procurement.
The Abrams tanks, manufactured by General Dynamics Land Systems, will serve to replace outdated Soviet-era tanks within Romania's land forces.
This development takes place as the Romanian government expedites various procurement initiatives, including the purchase of new armored vehicles, missile systems, warships, 155-mm howitzers, and the F-35 Lightning II fighter jet, in response to Russia's aggression against Ukraine.
If the planned acquisition proceeds as intended, Romania would become the second Eastern European country to operate these U.S.-made tanks, following Poland's agreement in April 2022 to acquire 250 M1A2 Abrams SEPv3 tanks at a cost of approximately $4.75 billion. Furthermore, in January of the same year, Poland's Ministry of National Defence placed a second order, valued at around $1.4 billion, for the purchase of 116 pre-owned M1A1 Abrams tanks from the United States.
