Romanian coastal defence missile plan seeks parliamentary assent
The Romanian government has placed before parliament its SIML plan to acquire mobile anti-ship missile launcher systems from the US under the FMS programme.
SIML includes at least four mobile launchers with C2 communications platforms; transport and loading/unloading platforms; sensors; and maintenance, testing and logistics support, the Romanian Ministry of National Defence (MND) announced on 13 January.
Romania also requires encryption equipment, specialised databases and training for personnel ‘at all necessary levels’, the MND added.
The aim is to equip the Romanian Naval Forces with a modern, proven and NATO-interoperable mobile anti-ship missile system with a 20-year lifespan.
In its first FMS approval for Romania since 2017, in October 2020 the US State Department cleared the sale of the Kongsberg Naval Strike Missile (NSM) coastal defence system and associated equipment for an estimated $300 million, with Raytheon acting as prime contractor.
However, the MND in its latest statement said that the ‘exact value will be determined following the procedure acquisition’.
Romania plans to field NSM by 2024.
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