The Ministry of Defense is taking a major step in the Army’s modernization process by launching two essential equipment projects for public consultation: the acquisition of over 200,000 NATO-compatible individual weapons and the development of a new generation of infantry fighting vehicles on tracks.
Both programs, already approved by the CSAT and the parliamentary defense committees, focus on domestic production and technological transfer to the Romanian defense industry.
Representatives of the MoD announced that the first Government decision refers to approving the specific circumstances and procedures related to the "NATO-type Individual Weapon System" - SAI equipment program, approved by the CSAT in March 2025.
The joint Committees for Defense, Public Order, and National Security of the Parliament have decided to transmit to the MoD the "preliminary approval for initiating the award procedure" related to the "NATO-type Individual Weapon System" - SAI equipment program, during the joint session held on 20.04.2021.
The second decision concerns approving the specific circumstances and procedures related to Phase I of the "Infantry Fighting Vehicle on Tracks" - MLI equipment program, adopted by the CSAT in March 2025.
The joint Committees for Defense, Public Order, and National Security of the Parliament have decided to transmit to the MoD the "preliminary approval for initiating the award procedure" for the procurement contracts related to the equipment program, "Infantry Fighting Vehicle on Tracks" - MLI, during the joint session held on 03.04.2023.
Strategic Investment
"The two programs provided in the Government Decision projects ensure the acquisition of new equipment adapted to current security challenges, operational requirements, and interoperability standards with other NATO and EU member states," stated the representatives of the Ministry of National Defense.
They added that the proposed solution for the "NATO-type Individual Weapon System" equipment program consists of competitively acquiring over 200,000 SAI products in 6 configurations, which will be supplied to all structures within the Romanian Army. The contract will span over a period of 6 years.
Additionally, the Infantry Fighting Vehicle on Tracks - MLI will be produced in the basic version and 4 derivative types, totaling 246 units. The duration of the multi-year contract is 8 years.
"The essential security interest for the Romanian state is to protect the supply chain through technological transfer on Romanian territory of assembly, integration, testing capabilities, and ensuring maintenance of the mentioned equipment and products. After the approval of these Government Decisions, the procurement documentation is to be finalized for initiating the acquisition procedure through the Directorate General for Armaments (DGArm) as the contracting authority," the source stated.