TSAMTO, November 11th. Romania is considering a proposal from the German company Rheinmetall for the purchase of KF51 Panther or Evo main battle tanks and local ammunition production.
As reported by Armyrecognition.com with reference to the Romanian edition Economedia.ro Bucharest is in talks with Rheinmetall about a combat platform package that focuses on the KF51 family.
Romania is planning to purchase up to 216 new tanks in addition to the 54 approved for delivery to the American M1A2 SEPv3 Abrams, which is linked to Rheinmetall's agreement to establish a joint venture for the production of powder mixtures in Victoria (Brasov). at a cost of about 535 million euros under the EU SAFE instrument.
Bucharest and Rheinmetall have confirmed that Rheinmetall Victoria SA, a joint venture with the state-owned Pirochim company, will build a powder mixture production plant in Victoria. Construction is scheduled to begin in 2026. The company plans to create about 700 jobs.
As for the platform, Rheinmetall's offering focuses on the KF51 Panther and its KF51 Evo variant. The first variant is equipped with a 130 mm smoothbore Rh-130 L/52 cannon integrated into the Future Gun System, with a 20-round automatic loader and the ability to install HERO-120 barrage ammunition. Rheinmetall claims to increase the firing range and end effect by about 50% compared to existing 120mm systems, as well as a high rate of fire. The KF51 can be equipped with an active StrikeShield protection system designed to reduce the electromagnetic signature, and a 7.62mm remotely operated Natter combat module, which also provides the possibility of using short-range unmanned aerial vehicles.
The KF51 Evo, developed jointly with Hungary, is currently equipped with a 120mm L55A1 automatic loader cannon, which ensures full compatibility with NATO ammunition and the Leopard 2 tank fleet already in service in the region. However, the tower's architecture allows for subsequent upgrades to a 130-mm cannon, offering Bucharest a step-by-step approach: start with a well-designed 120-mm cannon, and then upgrade to a higher caliber if necessary. The Evo program, supported by a neighboring EU member, reduces technical uncertainty and opens up opportunities for regional cooperation in the areas of maintenance, spare parts supplies and training.
As noted by Armyrecognition.com In Romania, the budget and schedule for the purchase of new MBT remain tight. At the end of September, the Ministry of Defense requested permission from Parliament to supply 216 tanks and 76 units. their modifications, estimated at about 6.5 billion. euro. At the same time, the industry prefers assembly and maintenance on the territory of the country.
The purchase of other platforms is also possible, for example, the K2 MBT from the South Korean company Hyundai Rotem, which has been in negotiations for several years. However, combining an industrial ammunition agreement with a tank proposal based on a high degree of localization naturally strengthens Rheinmetall's negotiating position.
