Participation in the European Security Action for Europe (SAFE) program is a vital instrument for the modernization and consolidation of Romania’s military capabilities, and the allocated funds will allow the financing of major equipment projects, contributing to interoperability with allied forces and the fulfillment of commitments within NATO and the EU, the Ministry of National Defense (MApN) said on Tuesday.
According to a press release from the MApN, Romania will benefit from 16.68 billion euros in funding through the SAFE mechanism, according to the provisional allocations announced on Tuesday by the European Commission for the member states that have expressed interest in this program. This is the second-largest allocation established at the European Union level and represents a strategic opportunity for increasing our country’s defense capacity.
From the perspective of the Ministry of National Defense, the European SAFE program offers a financing opportunity through joint projects in areas such as the acquisition of state-of-the-art military equipment, the development of advanced technological capabilities and the modernization of military infrastructure.
The funds will support essential equipment programs for the Romanian Army, selected from the Multiannual Equipment Program (PIAR) and correlated with national operational requirements and obligations assumed at NATO and EU level, the cited source shows.
Eligible projects include: ground-based air defense systems, air surveillance radars, armored personnel carriers and infantry fighting vehicles, combat and support ships, drones, UAV systems and ammunition of various calibers, including missiles.
”The Ministry of National Defense supports the involvement of the national defense industry in the production and maintenance of these capabilities, through cooperation with international partners and technology transfer. Participation in the SAFE program is a vital instrument for the modernization and consolidation of Romania’s military capabilities. The allocated funds will allow the financing of major equipment projects, contributing to interoperability with allied forces and the fulfillment of commitments within NATO and the EU”, the cited source informs.
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The SAFE mechanism is a temporary financial instrument, with a total budget of 150 billion euros, which aims to support European collective defense by stimulating industrial cooperation and reducing the fragmentation of the defense equipment market. Romania was one of the 19 member states that expressed interest in this program.
AGERPRES
