US approves Romania’s $2.5 billion request to buy Abrams tanks

Europe, News, US November 11, 2023 , by IRIA No Comments

The U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) announced on November 9, 2023, that the State Department has approved Romania’s request to purchase 54 M1A2 Abrams Main Battle Tanks. The potential sale would cost around $2.5 billion.

According to the Defense Security Cooperation Agency’s statement, the Government of Romain had requested to buy 54 M1A2 Abrams Main Battle Tanks along with their essential equipment. The request also included four M88A2 HERCULES Combat Recovery Vehicles, 54 M240C 7.62mm machine guns, and M1150 Assault Breacher Vehicles. The request was approved by the U.S. State Department which later sent it to Congress for further approval.

Bucharest initiated the efforts to modernize its fleet of tanks in May 2023, when a request was presented before the Romanian Parliament’s Commission for Defense, Public Order, and National Security. After gaining a nod of approval from the commission, a bill was presented in the parliament, which passed without a hurdle and the request was sent to the U.S.

The DSCA statement added that “the proposed sale will improve Romania’s capability to meet current and future threats by providing a credible force that is capable of deterring adversaries and participating in NATO operations,” DSCA also wrote in its announcement. “Romania will have no difficulty absorbing this equipment into its armed forces.”

The sale of Abrams tanks would mark the largest procurement of military equipment for Romania. It is also the fourth major sale of military equipment from the U.S. to Romania in 2023.

*^{U.S. M1A1 Abrams tanks needed for training the armed forces of Ukraine await transport to training areas at Grafenwoehr, Germany, May 14, 2023. (Image Credit: U.S. Army Spc. Christian Carrillo)}*

In March this year, Bucharest’s $104 million request for 95 Heavy Gun Carriers Joint Light Tactical Vehicles was approved by the U.S. Apart from that, an F-16 modernization effort with a $105 million estimated price tag was approved in June while in July, a request to purchase 16 Assault Amphibious Vehicles at an estimated cost of $120.5 million.

The Romanian government has significantly increased its efforts to strengthen the country’s land and aerial defense capabilities. The recent effort to acquire Abrams tanks enables Romania’s land forces to replace some of their outdated Soviet-era tanks. Integration of the U.S.-made tanks would also increase Romanian forces’ interoperability with its Western allies.

Under the increasing pressure from its allies and the changing security situation of the region due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Romania is among those Eastern European countries that are rapidly evaluating their defense strategy and upgrading their arsenals. Romania shares a 400-mile-long border with Ukraine.

Romania and U.S. officials in front of F-16 fighter jet — *^{Romania-U.S. meeting on bilateral defense relationship. (Image Credit: Romanian Ministry of National Defense)}*

Romania’s military procurement trends closely follow that of Poland. If the Abrams tanks deal goes through, Romania could become the second operator of a U.S.-made tank in Eastern Europe after Poland. The Polish government signed a $4.75 billion deal with the U.S. to acquire 250 M1A2 Abrams tanks in April 2022, while making a second order of $1.4 billion for 116 Abrams tanks in January this year.