Romania to buy 3 sub, 4 ships to bolster Black Sea ops

WARSAW, Poland — Romanian Defence Minister Mihai Fifor has unveiled plans by the ministry to buy three new submarines. In 2018, Romania’s military procurements are to be focused on the Navy, for which the ministry also plans to order up to four new vessels, according to Fifor.

“We want the year 2018 … to be dedicated to the Romanian Navy,” Fifor said, as reported by local news agency Mediafax. “The idea is that we are in a phase in which we will define the technical parameters for these submarines and … we will take them to the [Supreme Council of National Defence] and the parliament to present a new major acquisition program.”

The value of the planned purchase was not disclosed.

Vice Adm. Alexandru Mirsu, the chief of the Romanian Naval Forces, said the country requires an additional three submarines to ensure Romania’s operational capacities in the Black Sea, as the one Kilo-class submarine does not meet that need.

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The Navy’s Delfinul submarine was reportedly withdrawn from service and is currently used for training purposes.

As part of its military modernization plans, Romania aims to purchase four vessels for its Navy under a procurement estimated to be worth about €1.6 billion (U.S. $1.96 billion). Deliveries are scheduled for 2018 to 2024, according to the ministry.

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