Romania pledges to raise defence spending
The Romanian Armed Forces are set to benefit from higher defence spending. (Photo: Romanian Armed Forces)
Romania is to increase its defence budget to 2.5% of GDP from 2023 in reaction to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, President Klaus Iohannis announced on 11 March during a visit by US Vice President Kamala Harris.
Even before the Russia-Ukraine crisis prompted many European countries to reassess their military spending priorities, Romania was one of the ten NATO member states to commit to spending at least 2% of GDP on defence.
Its 2022 budget of RON25.9 billion ($6.14 billion) is equivalent to 2.04% of GDP and marked a 14% year-on-year increase.
Additional investment in the defence budget may prompt Romania to resurrect the stalled Agilis armoured vehicle procurement programme with Rheinmetall.
Shephard Defence Insight notes that Romania is also engaged in acquiring four Gowind new-build multirole corvettes for €1.6 billion, designed by Naval Group but constructed locally. However, this programme has also stalled.
Other major ongoing defence investment programmes in Romania include the acquisition of 32 ex-Royal Norwegian Air Force F-16 jets, approved by the Romanian parliament in December 2021 for €454 million ($515 million).
More from Defence Notes
-
Sound and fury from Russia as super-heavy Sarmat far from ready
For all the bombastic talk from Russian President about the hitting power of the new RS-28 Sarmat 'super heavy' ICBM, observers are highly sceptical that it will enter service in 2023 as claimed.
-
Should the US reassess its defence strategy?
Even though the US has a powerful arsenal and an extensive defence budget, it has been unable to prevent the actions of Russian President Vladimir Putin and has failed to deter China’s growing territorial and maritime ambitions.
-
Jankel branches out in Australia with Project Greyfin in mind
A new partnership between Jankel and IDES is intended to exploit Australian market opportunities such as SOF capability modernisation under Project Greyfin (Land 1508).
-
Indo-Pacific 2022: Leidos Australia scoops health support contract
Leidos Australia will oversee a new system to maintain medical data for ADF personnel.
-
Finland must apply to join NATO ‘without delay’, say president and prime minister
Political, diplomatic and military discussions — undertaken since the Russian invasion of Ukraine began — will result in Finland becoming a member of NATO with broad popular support.