Romania plans to buy 54 Abrams tanks
10 April, 2023 M1A2 SEPv3 Abrams tanks of the US 3rd Armored Brigade. Photo credits: U.S. Armed Forces
The Ministry of Defense of Romania has submitted a request to the parliament for approval of the contract for the purchase of 54 Abrams tanks. A corresponding statement and the document itself were published by the Romanian media. The contract regards the purchase of 54 tanks of the M1A2 version, 12 of which will be supplied from the stockpiles of the U.S.
Army. The value of the agreement is EUR100 million, it also covers the purchase of ammunition and simulators.
The first M1A2 SEPv3 tanks were delivered to the 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, on January 5, 2023. Photo credits: US Department of Defense
The terms of execution of the agreement are currently unknown.
The contract is to be implemented under the program of rearming the Romanian army, which is foreseen until 2040. The appeal of the Ministry of Defense to the Parliament of Romania stipulates that this purchase shall be the first stage of the program. The procurement is carried out through an intergovernmental G2G agreement, not through a direct contract with the manufacturer.
At the beginning of March it became known that the Ministry of Defense of Romania planned to purchase American M1 Abrams main battle tanks.
M1A2 SEP v4 Abrams tank. Photo credits: US Army
It is regarding a tank battalion, which, according to the current structural organization of the armies of NATO member countries, consists of 54 tanks. There are three main versions of the tank: M1, M1A1 and M1A2.
They differ from each other in improved weapons, defense systems, and electronics. M1 Abrams tanks are constantly being updated, mostly to strengthen reservations and incorporate new digital systems. The A2 version has more sophisticated optics and controls than the older A1 version.
In general, the A2 tank looks similar to the A1, but has a redesigned commander's combat module with improved guidance optics and an independent thermal imager that allows the commander to independently scan targets in all weather and combat conditions.
M1A2 SEPv3 Abrams tanks, 2018. Photo credits: General Dynamics Land Systems
The newer model has its control mechanisms digitized and a new information system installed, allowing the vehicles to continuously and automatically exchange information.
With the use of the new technology, commanders can quickly track the location of friendly equipment, determine enemy positions and process artillery requests.