Romania to Invest €14 Billion in Military Modernization

The Romanian Ministry of Defense will allocate €14 billion to modernize the country’s armed forces.

This was reported by Ziarul Financiar.

As part of the Romanian Armed Forces’ modernization program, the Ministry of Defense is signing several contracts to acquire new weapons.

The ministry has announced that in 2024 alone, Romania will sign contracts worth over €3 billion.

It should be noted that such a financial package for the rearmament of the Romanian Armed Forces is a record for the country. The budget is expected to be spent over several years.

Among the weapons that Romania will purchase in 2024 will be modern F-35A fighters in the amount of two squadrons, and the cost of the purchase is estimated at $6.5 billion.

Additionally, contracts will be signed for the acquisition of Mistral 3 man-portable air defense systems worth €662 million.

Among other things, relevant aviation weapons will be purchased, including AIM-9X ($90 million), AIM-120 ($150 million) and GBU-39/B SDB precision bombs ($60 million).

Separately, laser-guided aerial bombs for British Watchkeeper XR drones, SwitchBlade 300/600 loitering munitions, Javelin anti-tank missile systems, and ATACMS ballistic missiles for HIMARS will be purchased.

Contracts will also be signed for the purchase of artillery ammunition and the modernization of missile ships.

Previously, Militarnyi reported that Romania plans to purchase two maritime patrol ships for its own needs.

The purchase budget is estimated at €300 million, or almost RON 1.5 billion.