Abrams May Fade Into Background: Rheinmetall Offers Romania 216 KF51 Panther Tanks

German defense company Rheinmetall has offered Romania its new KF51 Panther tank as part of a large strategic initiative.

Defense Romania reported on this.

According to the media outlet, the possible acquisition of the tank would take place through the EU SAFE program, under which a deal worth about €6.5 billion could be implemented. The plan includes the purchase of 216 KF51 tanks.

Rheinmetall CEO Armin Papperger proposed the link between the two programs. Romania wants most tank production to take place domestically, while Rheinmetall is insisting on building a supporting industrial ecosystem.

The approach is part of a broader strategy that aligns two priorities: Europe’s need to expand ammunition production and Romania’s goal to modernize its armored forces.

A central element of the new cooperation between Rheinmetall and Bucharest is a recently signed agreement to build a gunpowder plant in the city of Victoria (Brașov County).

To that end, a joint venture, Rheinmetall Victoria SA, was created, with Rheinmetall partnering with the Romanian company Pirochim, a subsidiary of Romarm.

However, the core of the initiative goes beyond ammunition production. It includes a large-scale program to modernize Romania’s tank fleet, with a total estimated cost of almost €8 billion.

Romania has already submitted a request to parliament for approval of the second phase of the program, which complements the first phase — the purchase of 54 M1A2 SEPv3 Abrams tanks, approved by the United States in 2023. Deliveries of the Abrams are expected after 2026.

A key requirement from Romania’s Ministry of Defense is technological and industrial cooperation, ensuring that production, maintenance, and upgrades take place in Romania.

In this context, Rheinmetall’s proposal appears attractive: the company links its planned investment in Victoria with the option of local production of KF51 Panther tanks, positioning itself as a strategic partner for Romania.

The Panther is offered in two versions, armed with either a 120 mm or a 130 mm gun.