The Ministry of National Defense has asked Parliament to approve the purchase of two Airbus H215M military helicopters for 150 million euros, according to a request placed on the agenda of the permanent seat of the Chamber of Deputies.
Recall that Romania has not yet purchased any Airbus helicopters, although the French company has a production plant near Brașov.
Vasile Dîncu, the former defense minister, had already announced in July that the Romanian army’s acquisition plan includes French Scorpène submarines and French helicopters. Dîncu announced that a letter of intent has been signed with the French Minister of Defense on the matter.
“I signed a letter of intent with the French Minister of Defense for a future project and started the process to bring the new equipment to parliament: it is Scorpene submarines and helicopters. This is a letter of intent made with the French government and we want to carry out this project “, declared Dîncu.
In addition, the Romanian Defense Minister said he is working on a bill that provides shorter deadlines for public defense procurement procedures, the cited source also said.
Military relations with France have strengthened lately, after France pledged to be the framework nation establishing a NATO battle group in Cincu, Brasov County, where there are already 500 French soldiers. Another 100 French soldiers protect the airspace above Dobrogea with a Mamba anti-aircraft system.
Read the request from the Ministry of National Defense here
