The war in Ukraine and the tense situation on the edge of Europe have forced more and more countries to embark on extensive procurement programs for military equipment, including Romania, but this has resulted in delayed delivery times and longer waiting periods. For Romania, this means that the 54 Abrams tanks it is buying from the United States for almost $1 billion should enter the Romanian army only from 2026.

Delivery times for some types of state-of-the-art military equipment have become very long, a global phenomenon due to the security situation caused by Russia’s war in Ukraine. For Romania, this means that some military procurements have a more distant delivery date than they would like, MApN representatives explained in a discussion with the press.

Abrams tanks for the Romanian army, only from 2026

• Thus, for the purchase of 54 SEPv3-level Abrams tanks and 12 derivatives on tank chassis, ammunition and simulators, Romania will sign a contract with the US for almost $1.07 billion (the amount approved by the Romanian Parliament).
• According to current information, Abrams tanks will be delivered from 2026.

Three more Patriot systems after 2027

The procurement of Patriot anti-aircraft systems is also affected by the extension of delivery times. To be more precise, if the first four systems have already been delivered to our country, then the next three systems, which are part of the agreement with the USA, will be delivered from 2027.

Since 2017, Romania has signed a deal with the US worth about $3.9 billion for seven new Patriot anti-aircraft systems in the latest available configuration (3+), complete with several hundred interceptors.

• Based on this agreement, the first contract for four systems was signed four systems have already been delivered to Romania. Of the four systems, one active and fully operational and integrated into the national anti-aircraft system and the NATO air defense system. The next three are currently in operation.

Regarding the next three Patriot systems, Romania is waiting for the US to sign the next contract (LOA – Letter of Offer and Acceptance), which will be worth approximately $1.85 billion.

However, for these last three systems the delivery date will be from 2027, that is, almost 10 years since the initialing of the agreement on Patriot systems. The three systems will be in the same configuration as the four already delivered to Romania.

• PHOTO VIDEO What the first launch of the Romanian Patriot complex missile looked like: the target was hit 60 km away

Configuration 3+ for Patriot systems purchased by Romania:

– 7 AN/MPQ-65 radars

– 7 battle control stations AN/MSQ-132

– 13 antenna-mast groups

– 28 M903 launchers (which can carry and launch 4 PAC-2 GEMT missiles or 12 PAC-3 MSE missiles)

– 56 PAC-2 Guidance Enhanced Missile-TBM (GEM-T) missiles

– 168 PAC-3 Missile Segment Enhancement (MSE) missiles.

– 7 electric stations (EU) III

In addition, Romania has also entered into a NATO-led procurement program under which it will purchase 200 PAC-2 GEM-T missiles at an estimated cost of around €1 billion.