Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on September 30, 2025
2 min readLast updated: January 21, 2026
Add as preferred source on GoogleRomania seeks parliamentary approval for a $7 billion deal to acquire Abrams tanks and related equipment, enhancing its defense capabilities as a NATO member.
BUCHAREST (Reuters) -Romania's defence ministry has asked parliament to approve a plan to acquire hundreds of Abrams tanks as well as ammunition, parts and training worth more than $7 billion, it said in a statement on Tuesday.
The European Union and NATO member signed a first contract to buy 54 Abrams tanks from U.S. army stock for $1.07 billion in 2023, with full delivery estimated in 2028.
It is now aiming to buy ammunition, parts, simulators, technical support and training for those tanks at a cost of $458.2 million before VAT.
It also aims to order an additional 216 tanks and parts for 6.49 billion euros ($7.6 billion) before VAT, it said. The Abrams is made by General Dynamics.
The statement did not specify when the equipment would be delivered. The country's defence acquisition strategies are approved by its top security council, led by President Nicusor Dan, and large purchases must be cleared by parliament.
Romania, which shares a 650-km (400 mile) border with Ukraine, is host to a U.S. ballistic missile defence system and a permanent NATO alliance battle group.
It has had drones breach its airspace repeatedly since Russia began attacking Ukraine's ports and infrastructure across the Danube river from Romania.
Countries on the European Union's eastern flank, including Romania, agreed on the need for a "drone wall" with advanced detection, tracking and interception capabilities, EU Defence Commissioner Andrius Kubilius said on Friday.
Romania also aims to partner Ukraine to build drones under a new European Union defence funding mechanism.
($1 = 0.8525 euros)
(Reporting by Luiza Ilie; Editing by Alex Richardson)
Abrams tanks are a series of main battle tanks used by the United States Army and other countries. They are known for their advanced armor, firepower, and mobility.
NATO, or the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, is a military alliance of countries from North America and Europe established for mutual defense against aggression.
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