Romania Unveils €16.6 B SAFE Procurement Plan for Defense Modernization
Bucharest has published a detailed procurement roadmap under the EU’s SAFE financing instrument, earmarking around €9.5 billion for military acquisitions through 2030. The programme focuses on layered air defence, ground combat systems, mobility assets and ISR capabilities.
The Romanian government has released its procurement list for projects funded through the European Union’s Security Action for Europe (SAFE) instrument, with total planned investments under the programme reaching roughly €16.6 billion. SAFE, adopted by the EU in 2025 to help Member States accelerate defence capability development, extends long-maturity credit on favourable terms to finance priority acquisitions.
Of the total allocation, about €9.6 billion is designated for defence acquisitions by the Ministry of National Defence, with the remainder supporting strategic transport infrastructure and internal security functions. The defence share comprises 21 individual procurement projects, including both national and joint European acquisitions, all scheduled for completion by 2030.
The SAFE procurement list prioritises layered air defence and enhanced ground capabilities. Air defence investments include very short-range systems and integrated sensors to counter a range of aerial threats. Romania plans to acquire multiple air defence batteries to improve point and area coverage.
On the ground combat side, the plan encompasses modern infantry fighting vehicles, armoured personnel carriers, and logistics support vehicles to bolster manoeuvre and sustainment capabilities. Medium-to-heavy lift and multi-role mobility platforms are also included to increase operational flexibility.
Romania’s aerial and surveillance capabilities are set to expand with procurement of multi-mission helicopters and medium-range radar systems. These assets will support joint ISR operations and improve situational awareness across Romania’s airspace and borders.
The SAFE-backed programme reflects Romania’s dual push to modernise its defence forces while fostering deeper defence industrial cooperation within the EU framework. By integrating joint procurement elements and aligning with NATO interoperability requirements, Bucharest aims to deliver enhanced capabilities in the near term and strengthen its role in regional deterrence.
