Bucharest: Agreement for the acquisition of 227 Pirana V carriers
Total cost of this procurement program is about 895 million euros, which will be paid by 2020.
Articol de Radu Dobriţoiu, 12 Ianuarie 2018, 16:27
Contract concluded in Bucharest on Friday, January 12, 2018, at the premises of the Defense Ministry, for the acquisition of the Pirana 5 armored carriers represents the largest procurement that the Romanian Defense industry receives after 1990. It is also the most important acquisition for the Romanian Army, which needed the renewal of the armored conveyor park. The newest 8x8 TABs of the Romanian Land Forces are those of the Zimbru type, technology from the 80s, and 30 of Pirana 3 conveyors, two models that have been overtaken by Pirana 5.
Pirana 5, 8x8, armored conveyors have the highest level of protection, similar to Striker combat vehicle. This armored platform can be fitted with different weapons or the carrier can be equipped for medical evacuations or other specific missions.
Romanian Prime Minister Mihai Tudose, after the signing ceremony of the procurement contract: "Romania will again become a leading producer of military technique. I think it is a good start for the Romanian industry, for the Romanian Defense industry, and I also thank those in the Defense industry who have had patience and did not destroy that factory, they kept it, so today we can take pride in what we can contribute with at such a level of collaboration".
Romanian Minister of National Defense, Mihai Fifor underlined the importance of the acquisition: "It is a very important day for the Ministry of National Defense, it is a very important day for the Romanian Government. Today we manage to sign a contract, I say, with a major importance not only for the endowment of the Army, but also for the Romanian defense industry. According to the commitment of the Romanian Government, here is an extremely important contract that leads to the army's endowment, returns to the Romanian Defense industry a consistent amount that can lead to the re-launch of a Defense industry tradition: I am referring to the Bucharest’s “Uzina Mecanică”.
The contract provides for the purchase of 227 Pirana 5 armored carriers and the initial logistic support. 30 conveyors are manufactured in Switzerland. 197 will be produced at the Bucharest’s “Uzina Mecanică”, six of which will be carried out in Romania this year.
Total cost of this procurement program is about 895 million euros, which will be paid by 2020.
Source:RRA.Translated by Miruna Matei
