The joint committees for defence, public order and national security in the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate unanimously approved, on Monday, the request from the Ministry of National Defence to initiate the contract awarding procedure for the procurement programme „Main Battle Tank,” Phase I (Stage 2) and Phase II.
According to a press release from the Ministry of National Defence (MApN), the procurement programme „Main Battle Tank,” Phase I (Stage 2, valued at 458.20 million dollars) and Phase II (valued at 6.488,34 billion euro), contributes to the improvement of operational capabilities, with the essential objective of fulfilling the missions and obligations of the army, both for national defence and in line with assumed international commitments. The „Main Battle Tank” procurement programme aims at making operational the capability goals undertaken within the NATO and EU defence planning processes, in order to achieve the objectives of the programme concerning the transformation of the Romanian Armed Forces by the year 2040.
In addition, the Defence, Public Order and National Security Committee of the Chamber of Deputies voted in favour of a report approving the Law for the amendment and completion of Law No. 446/2006 on preparing the population for defence.
Through the approval of the amendments proposed by the MApN to Law 446 concerning the preparation of the population for defence, a legal framework is created for the voluntary completion of active military service during peacetime by citizens who wish to receive military training, through the introduction of a new concept of „volunteer enlisted soldier”. During the training period, participants benefit free of charge from accommodation, equipment, meals, medical assistance, and a monthly salary, and upon completion, they receive a grant equivalent to three gross average wages, the release mentions.
The quoted source highlights that this initiative demonstrates a proactive approach to diversifying the means of building the reserve force and is essential for developing a more robust and adaptable operational reserve in line with current and future security needs. AGERPRES
