Romania Plans to Purchase 246 Infantry Fighting Vehicles to Strengthen Land Forces

Romania plans to purchase 246 tracked infantry fighting vehicles this year as part of efforts to strengthen its Land forces.

The country’s Ministry of Defense announced this, cited by the Defense Industry media outlet.

The contract will include training systems and initial logistical support.

Deliveries are expected to be completed within eight years. The Ministry described the program as a top priority.

The acquisition is part of a broader push to enhance the Land Forces’ capabilities. More than 70 major procurement and modernization programs are underway across Romania’s armed services, the Ministry stated.

Of these, 27 have active contracts, many focused on the Land Forces. These include purchases of armored personnel carriers, light tactical vehicles, multi-role wheeled platforms, and battalion-level 155 mm howitzer systems.

Global defense manufacturers have shown interest in the program, presenting proposals at the BSDA 2024 defense exhibition held in May 2024.

Showcased vehicles included the Redback (Hanwha Aerospace), KF41 Lynx (Rheinmetall), CV90 (BAE Systems), and ASCOD 2 (General Dynamics European Land Systems).

In addition to modernizing the army, Romania seeks to develop its national industrial potential through the transfer of technology and know-how, localization of production, and the creation of its own infrastructure to maintain and overhaul new equipment.

Reinforcing the Romanian army with armored vehicles

Romania and Turkey recently established a joint venture to localize the production of 781 Turkish COBRA II 4×4 armored vehicles in Romania.

In addition to production, the joint company will handle engineering, marketing, and after-sales service.

Within the agreement, Otokar Land Systems SRL and Automecanica S.A. will each hold a 50% stake in the venture.

The localization of production will take place within the framework of the contract for the supply of 1,059 COBRA II 4×4 armored vehicles for the Romanian Armed Forces.