The NATO member country still has many Soviet tanks and continues to study Ukraine’s experience
Bucharest is betting on Abrams and potentially K2, but it is not the models that are key, but the barrels, shells, and repairs.
The Romanian Armed Forces still rely on the legacy of the Soviet era, with T-55 AM tanks remaining the backbone of its armored vehicle fleet. The country has between 180 and 220 such vehicles in service and storage. They are complemented by about a hundred TR-85s and another 50 TR-85 M1s — modernized variations of the same T-55.
But Russia’s war against Ukraine has sent an alarming signal: armies with Soviet-style armored vehicles find themselves in a vulnerable position in open conflict. Romania has already taken the first steps towards modernization. In 2023, the US agreed to sell 54 M1 Abrams tanks worth $1 billion. However, these combat vehicles, as stated in Bucharest, are to be kept in reserve in case of a large-scale escalation. For daily service, the country is looking for another option — probably the South Korean K2 Black Panther, which Poland is already actively purchasing in the form of a localized version, the K2PL.
The Romanian military is thoroughly analyzing the lessons of the Russian-Ukrainian war and has identified three critical requirements for new main battle tanks:
The Romanian military is thoroughly analyzing the lessons of the Russian-Ukrainian war and has identified three critical requirements for new main battle tanks:
1. Barrel life and availability
Modern tank guns have a limited service life of about 2,000 rounds. Without a reliable supply of new barrels, the combat effectiveness of the equipment quickly declines. The priority is either a reserve for replacement or domestic production.
2. Ammunition
A year ago, Romania signed an agreement with General Dynamics to modernize the production of large calibers to NATO standards. The local USP plant has already announced its ambition to become a leading NATO center for supplying ammunition to all of Europe.
3. Maintenance and repair
Quick repair and maintenance of tanks in the rear is no less important than their armor. Romania seeks to avoid the mistakes of other armies, which lost combat-ready equipment right on the front lines due to a lack of service infrastructure.
Preparations for war with Russia have been ongoing and multifaceted. The Romanian government is currently working on launching a joint project with Rheinmetall to build a powder factory. This will make it possible to supply Ukraine, as NATO’s closest partner, with a variety of ammunition.
