The funds intended for the endowment component of the Army from the Defense budget will increase from next year to over 35%, on Thursday said Prime Minister Nicolae Ciuca, in a press conference, at the end of his two-day working visit to Brussels, according to Agerpres.
„It is very clear that, together with the decision to increase the Defense budget to 2.5% (from 2%, currently, ed. n.) the allocation to the endowment component will also increase. If, until now, from that 2% that was assumed by our country was the obligation that at least 20% be earmarked for endowment, we have exceeded this percentage of 20% up to this moment,” Nicolae Ciuca declared at the headquarters Permanent Representation of Romania to the European Union.
In this context, the prime minister specified that the Army needs to be equipped with more Pirahna V armored vehicles, asked if Romania has a piece of legislation so that in the future it can sell such transporters that are also produced in our country.
„We will be in a position to sell when we have secured what is necessary for the Romanian Army. At this moment, compared to the framework contract, we still need more transporters than were thought in the respective program, so as to ensure a large unit, brigade-type capability that we have engaged at NATO and to be equipped with wheeled armored personnel carriers. The structure has changed. More carriers are needed, until we finalize and secure the carriers required for this capability we will not discuss the sale,” the PM explained.
Asked what is happening with the corvette acquisition program, Ciuca said that, from the data he has, „technical discussions” are currently underway.
„I have been hoping since two years ago that this contract could be signed. Unfortunately, all these problems arose related to the economic crisis, the increase in prices for materials and equipment. I suppose that those who really study in detail what the conditions in the contract are will finally reach a conclusion,” the Prime Minister explained.
Agerpres
