The Ministry of National Defense (MApN), through the General Directorate for Armaments, signed on Friday several major contracts for equipping the Romanian Army, within the SAFE Program (Action for Security in Europe), the institution announced.

'The Ministry of National Defense, through the General Directorate for Armaments, signed on Friday, May 29, the following contracts within the 'Action for the Security of Europe' (SAFE) Program, under the conditions approved by the Romanian Parliament: The framework agreement for the supply by the economic operator Rheinmetall Automecanica SRL of 298 infantry fighting vehicles and derivatives, worth 3,337 million EURO, excluding VAT. The acquisition program aims to equip the Romanian Army with tracked infantry fighting vehicles (MLI) and derivatives, necessary for the performance of specific missions by the heavy infantry battalions of the Romanian Land Forces. The contract for the supply by the company Rheinmetall Italia S.p.A. of the anti-drone products 'Deployable ground-based air defense artillery system with CRAM and CUAS SKYNEX capabilities', 'Mobile 'VSR-CUAS SKYRANGER 35 Very Short Range Air Defense System' and 'Millennium Close-In Air Defense System (CIWS)'. The value of the contract is 981,950,000 EURO, excluding VAT, with the company having the obligation to supply 7 SKYNEX systems, 2 SKYRANGER 35 systems and 2 Millenium systems', according to a statement sent on Saturday by MapN.

According to the cited source, the three SAFE projects aim to equip the Romanian Army with very short-range air defense systems for the direct air defense of forces, assets (including ships) and infrastructure elements within the areas of operations/responsibility.

Another contract, worth 920 million euros, excluding VAT, was concluded with the company NVL B.V. & Co. KG, part of the Rheinmetall AG group in Germany, for the supply of the products 'Maritime Patrol Vessel' and 'Diver Intervention Star'. The contract provides for the acquisition of 2 maritime patrol vessels and 2 diver intervention stars. The objective of the two SAFE projects is to strengthen Romania's defensive capacity and to contribute to regional stability and the security of the maritime borders of the European Union and NATO.

The contract for the supply by Rheinmetall Waffe Munition GmBH of the product 'Ammunition cal. 35 mm AHEAD', worth 449,750,000 euros, excluding VAT, provides for the purchase of 401,760 rounds of 35 mm AHEAD caliber. The SAFE project aims to ensure combat stocks to ensure firepower to combat air targets, including drones.

'The Ministry of National Defense, through the General Directorate for Armaments - as Contracting Authority, signed these procurement contracts within the SAFE Financial Instrument, respecting the legal deadline provided for by the SAFE Regulation - May 30, 2026. The completion of these contracts involved the completion of complex procedures and the overcoming of procedural and commercial difficulties, in order to respect the calendar established by the SAFE Program, a particularly important aspect in the current regional security context and in relation to the need to accelerate the modernization process of the Romanian Army', the cited source also indicates.AGERPRES (RO - writing by: Marius Septimiu Avram, editing by: Mihai Simionescu; EN - writing by: Catalin Cristian Trandafir)