An U.S. M1 Abrams tank fires its main gun while taking part in Justice Eagle 17 joint military exercise alongside Romanian counterparts, at Smardan shooting range, in Galati county, Romania, April 20, 2017. Inquam Photos/Octav Ganea/via REUTERS
BUCHAREST (Reuters) -Romania's defence ministry has asked parliament to approve a plan to acquire hundreds of Abrams tanks as well as ammunition, parts and training worth more than $7 billion, it said in a statement on Tuesday.
The European Union and NATO member signed a first contract to buy 54 Abrams tanks from U.S. army stock for $1.07 billion in 2023, with full delivery estimated in 2028.
It is now aiming to buy ammunition, parts, simulators, technical support and training for those tanks at a cost of $458.2 million before VAT.
It also aims to order an additional 216 tanks and parts for 6.49 billion euros ($7.6 billion) before VAT, it said. The Abrams is made by General Dynamics.
The statement did not specify when the equipment would be delivered. The country's defence acquisition strategies are approved by its top security council, led by President Nicusor Dan, and large purchases must be cleared by parliament.
Romania, which shares a 650-km (400 mile) border with Ukraine, is host to a U.S. ballistic missile defence system and a permanent NATO alliance battle group.
It has had drones breach its airspace repeatedly since Russia began attacking Ukraine's ports and infrastructure across the Danube river from Romania.
Countries on the European Union's eastern flank, including Romania, agreed on the need for a "drone wall" with advanced detection, tracking and interception capabilities, EU Defence Commissioner Andrius Kubilius said on Friday.
Romania also aims to partner Ukraine to build drones under a new European Union defence funding mechanism.
($1 = 0.8525 euros)
(Reporting by Luiza Ilie; Editing by Alex Richardson)
