With troops in Romania, France seeks to capitalise on military ties

French Minister of Defence Florence Parly delivers a speech during a joint press statement with the Romanian Minister of Defence Vasile Dincu, in Bucharest, Romania, January 27, 2022. Inquam Photos/Octav Ganea via REUTERS

BUCHAREST/PARIS (Reuters) - France is looking to press ahead with lucrative military contracts in Romania after sending battle group tanks and an air defence system to the country as part of efforts to bolster NATO's ranks on the eastern flank, diplomatic sources said.

Paris leads a NATO battle group in Romania of about 800 troops, including 500 French soldiers alongside others from the Netherlands and Belgium. Paris has also deployed a surface-to-air missile system.