Romania plans to acquire 90 self-propelled howitzers

This was reported by defenseromania.ro website.

The procurement will be carried out in two stages, with the first stage involving the delivery of equipment for three battalions (54 howitzers) at an estimated cost of approximately EUR 1.15 billion. The total value of the order is estimated at around EUR 2 billion. The program is expected to be implemented over the course of the next six years.

At the end of June, the Romanian Ministry of National Defence submitted a proposal to parliament for the approval of several modernization programs, including the acquisition of 155mm self-propelled howitzers.

The format of the purchase is yet to be determined, whether it will be an intergovernmental agreement or purely commercial. The procurement plan, which involves dividing the transaction into two stages, indicates a desire to first sign a framework agreement for the 90 howitzers, followed by two separate implementation contracts.

According to Romanian media, the favorite contender is the K9A1 self-propelled howitzer offered by Hanwha Aerospace. In February of this year, the company reached an agreement with the Romanian Ministry of Defense regarding industrial cooperation, potentially involving the production of weaponry and ammunition by Romania’s state-owned company, Compania Nationala Romarm.

On March 1, Florin Spătaru, the then Romanian Minister of Economy, openly spoke about negotiations for the purchase of the K9, but consideration is also being given to the German Krauss-Maffei Wegmann/Rheinmetall PzH2000 and the Swedish BAE Systems Archer.