The Romanian Ministry of Defense has formally asked the Parliament to authorize the procurement of 150 Piranha 5 armored vehicles, a development reported by TASS. The request signals a step toward modernizing Romania’s land forces with a combat-proven wheeled platform that combines mobility, protection, and payload capacity suitable for varied mission profiles in Europe’s security landscape. The financial outline attached to the proposal places the anticipated equipment cost at about 674 million dollars, though final pricing could shift based on economic conditions prevailing at the contract signing date. These figures reflect a broader trend in European defense procurement where exchange rates, material costs, and supplier terms can influence the ultimate price paid by a NATO ally. [Source: TASS]
If Parliament approves the plan, the assembly of the Piranha 5 fleet would be carried out domestically in Romania, aligning with a memorandum of understanding established in March 2022 between Bucharest Mechanical Plant (UMB) and General Dynamics European Land Systems-Mowag GmbH. That accord lays out the framework for collaboration on production, technology transfer, and supporting logistics as Romania seeks to bolster its armored vehicle capabilities for the Romanian army. The arrangement underscores a shift toward national manufacturing capacity while leveraging international defense partnerships to ensure reliable supply chains and timely support. [Source: TASS]
Separately, Moldova’s armed forces experienced a notable influx of Piranha armored personnel carriers, with Germany transferring the first batch of 19 vehicles. The initial three units were delivered, and the remaining deliveries were scheduled through 2023, highlighting ongoing defense cooperation between Germany and Moldova. Defense ministers from both sides have emphasized that the rapid delivery of the Piranha fleet demonstrates effective bilateral collaboration and a shared commitment to enhancing security along Europe’s eastern flank. [Source: TASS]”}