Romania is advancing its armored modernization program with a request to Parliament for approval of the next stage of its tank acquisition effort. The move underscores Bucharest’s intent to reinforce its NATO and EU commitments while phasing out outdated Soviet-era platforms.
The program is divided into multiple phases. Stage I, Phase 2, valued at around $458 million, seeks to fully equip an armored battalion with M1A2 SEPv3 Abrams tanks. The package includes not only the tanks but also ammunition, machine guns, spare parts, training simulators, logistics, and related services. Phase II, estimated at €6.48 billion ($7.6 billion), will expand the fleet with 216 Abrams tanks and 76 derivative vehicles, as well as comprehensive training, logistics, and education support. Unlike earlier phases, this stage is expected to introduce industrial cooperation measures, including local production, maintenance, and subsystem integration within Romania.
Romania began the program in 2023 with Stage I, Phase 1, involving the acquisition of 54 Abrams SEPv3 tanks and 12 derivative chassis from US Army stocks. That deal, worth just over $1 billion, is scheduled for deliveries through 2028. The latest request represents a significant scaling up, positioning Romania for one of its largest defense procurements in recent decades.
The Abrams SEPv3 variant, the latest upgrade of the US-built main battle tank, offers enhanced armor, modernized electronics, and more efficient power systems. Romanian defense officials say the acquisition will help the country meet NATO capability targets and advance the Armed Forces Transformation Program, which runs through 2040. If approved, the deal would provide Romania with a modern armored force at a time of heightened regional security tensions, particularly following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
