Romania is planning to purchase 246 tracked infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs) for its army, with a contract scheduled to be signed this year.
The incoming deal is expected to complete the fleet within eight years and cover simulators as well as logistics services, a report from Defence Industry Europe said.
This program, labeled by Bucharest as a “priority,” is part of the country’s initiative to expand the armed forces’ ground-based capabilities amidst the ongoing tensions on NATO’s eastern flank.
“More than 70 significant equipment procurement and equipping programmes are active, at different stages, for all branches of the armed forces (Land Forces, Air Forces, Naval Forces, and Special Operations Forces),” Defence Industry Europe said, citing the Romanian defense agency.
“Of these, 27 programmes have ongoing contracts, many of them for the Land Forces: Armoured Personnel Carriers, Light Armoured Tactical Vehicles, Multi-Purpose Wheeled Vehicle Platforms, 155 mm Howitzer Systems at battalion level, etc.”
IFV Proposals
The Balkan state noted that industry partners have expressed interest in producing the modern IFVs, with some revealing their proposals at a defense convention in May last year.
IFV platforms pitched during the event included the German KF41 Lynx, the British CV90, the Korean K21 Redback, and the European ASCOD 2.
Bolstering Domestic Industry
Similar to recently establishing an in-country factory to support the Cobra armored tactical vehicle, Bucharest intends the IFV program to adopt capabilities through technology transfer, localized production, and the launch of an indigenous maintenance, repair, and overhaul complex.
“Supporting the development of the national defence industry and strategic partnerships with international companies is essential for Romania,” the Romanian Ministry of Defence said.
“By working with industry leaders, Romania will foster technology transfer, the development of new capabilities, and job creation in the defence sector.”
Recent Vehicle Projects
In January, Romania announced the purchase of 150 Piranha 5 IFV vehicles for the land forces, expanding the military’s existing fleet of over 200 Piranha 5s operational since 2020.
In November 2024, the country revealed it would double its purchase of Amphibious Assault Vehicles from the US in a contract signed in 2023, increasing the systems ordered to 44.
The Balkan government announced a month earlier that it had partnered with a Turkish mobility developer to provide the army with more than 1,000 Cobra II light armored vehicles.
Also in 2024, Bucharest selected the South Korean-made K9 Thunder self-propelled howitzer to optimize its ground attack fleet and form about three modern artillery battalions.
