Romania’s defense minister Mihai Fifor plans to endow the Navy with a submarine made at a local shipyard, he said during hearings in the Parliament’s specialty committees on Monday.

“We need to modernize the Navy. I think the program we plan to launch and take to the Supreme Defense Council and Parliament for approval is very ambitious, namely the program to endow the Navy with a submarine,” Fifor said.

He added that such a program would again turn Romania into one of the major players at the Black Sea.

Fifor explained that the Romanian Army faces many challenges, including the more aggressive Russian presence in the Black Sea.

He added that Romania will continue the major programs to endow its Army this year. It will buy the second Patriot missile system and the first Himars missile system. It also plans to buy corvettes for the Navy and to modernize the two frigates. The Army will also get new assault weapons, military trucks and armored vehicles.

Last year, Romania spent 1.81% of its GDP on defense, of the 2% allotted, as some of the acquisitions were delayed, the minister explained.

editor@romania-insider.com