Rheinmetall has presented Romania with a proposal to supply 216 KF51 Panther tanks, in a deal estimated to be worth US$7.54 billion through the European SAFE program.
The offer is part of a broader move to modernize Romanian armored forces, while the government is also moving forward with the second phase of its military renewal program, which complements the purchase of 54 Abrams tanks already approved by the United States. Abrams deliveries are expected to occur after 2026.
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The German initiative stands out for meeting a central requirement of the Romanian Ministry of Defense: the direct participation of local industry in the production, maintenance and updating of equipment. Rheinmetall proposes to integrate the manufacturing of the new tanks with industrial investments already underway, such as the construction of a gunpowder factory in Victoria, the result of a partnership with the Romanian company Pirochim.
With the creation of the joint venture Rheinmetall Victoria SA, the German company is positioning itself as a possible long-term strategic partner, offering not only the tanks, but also the creation of an industrial ecosystem in the country.
The KF51 Panther would be available in two versions, with a 120 mm or 130 mm cannon, strengthening Romanian military capacity and expanding its technological autonomy.
Source: Militarnyi | Photo: X @RheinmetallAG | This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team
📢 A new #tank for a new era#Rheinmetall presenting # Kf51 #Panther at #Eurosatory2022 – a game changer for the battlefields of the future @cogeseurosatory #Eurosatory #defence #military #army pic.twitter.com/XRbjYsW0w6
— Rheinmetall (@RheinmetallAG) June 13, 2022
