US Greenlights $2.53 Billion Abrams Tank Sale To Romania
According to the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA), the US State Department has decided to approve a possible Foreign Military Sale of M1A2 Abrams Main Battle Tanks and related equipment to the Government of Romania for an estimated $2.53 billion. The necessary certifications, as well as relevant documents announcing this possible sale, were submitted to the US Congress on November 9, 2023, according to the agency. This Foreign Military Sale (FMS) approval coincided with the delivery of 33 JLTV light tactical armored vehicles and a C-130H2 transport aircraft to Romania by the United States.
This possible sale includes 54 M1A2 SEPv3 Abrams MBTs, 4 M88A2 HERCULES Combat Recovery Vehicles, 4 M1110 Joint Assault Bridges, 54 M240C 7.62mm Machine Guns, 5,940 120mm M1147 High Explosive, Multipurpose, Tracer (HEMP-T) cartridges, and 4230 120mm M1002 Target Practice Multipurpose, Tracer (TPMP-T) cartridges. Other important components of the package include spare parts, consumables, and accessories, as well as logistics and program support.
For this possible sale to go through, approximately 52 representatives of US contractors and 22 personnel from the US government will need to be sent to Romania. These personnel will actively work to support the equipment’s fielding and provide the required training for up to five years while they are in Romania. The Romanian Defense Ministry will also involve the national industry in the process of providing integrated logistics support for supply security.
According to the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA), “the proposed sale will improve Romania’s capability to meet current and future threats by providing a credible force that is capable of deterring adversaries and participating in NATO operations. Romania will have no difficulty absorbing this equipment into its armed forces.” The agency also noted that the proposed sale will help to strengthen the security of a NATO Ally that is an important factor in maintaining peace and stability in Europe.
Security ties are at the heart of US-Romania relations. In the last five years, the US has transferred defense systems worth $88.8 million to Romania through the Excess Defense Articles program. Furthermore, the United States has approximately $6.2 billion in active sales cases for US-origin defense articles and services to Romania under the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program. In addition, as part of Romania’s support for Ukraine, the United States provided an additional $148 million in Foreign Military Financing (FMF) assistance to Bucharest in Fiscal Year 2022.