Armata României: Finanțare SAFE – Achiziții și Rețineri Experți

Romania is bolstering its military capabilities through a significant financial injection from the European Union’s SAFE (Security Action for Europe) programme. Adopted in May 2025, SAFE is designed to stimulate investment in the European defence industry and critical infrastructure, providing a total of 150 billion EUR in loans.

A Long-Awaited Investment

The need for modernization is pressing, particularly given the ongoing conflict at Romania’s borders, now in its fourth year. For decades, the Romanian Army has faced chronic underfunding, a situation that continues to impact its readiness. General-Major (ret.) Dorin Toma, former commander of the Multinational Division South-East HQ, explained that approximately 16.6 billion EUR has been allocated to Romania, with around 9.6 billion EUR earmarked specifically for army modernization.

Infrastructure and defence Spending

Beyond direct military investment, over 4 billion EUR from the SAFE programme is slated for the construction of the A7 highway, connecting Pașcani to Siret and Iași, and the border with the Republic of Moldova. Romania has also committed to increasing its defence budget gradually to 3.5% of its GDP by 2035, currently at 2.17% as of 2025. This year’s allocation is estimated at 2.5% of a projected 400 billion EUR GDP, potentially equaling 10 billion EUR for defence.

Budgetary Considerations

General Toma emphasized that at least 30% of the 10 billion EUR, or roughly 3 billion EUR, should be dedicated to procurement, excluding personnel costs and other expenses. This procurement will be supplemented by funds from the SAFE loan, offered at an interest rate of up to 3% with a 10-year grace period, meaning no repayments are due until 2035. These funds are contingent on adherence to the plan approved by the European Commission, prioritizing purchases from European industries.

Potential Challenges and Priorities

While the funding is substantial, General Toma expressed reservations about certain aspects of Romania’s plan. He questioned the prioritization of the H225M helicopter programme, arguing that the 12 transport helicopters do not represent a vital combat platform. He also noted that some programmes, such as the production of infantry fighting vehicles, appear overly ambitious given the current industrial capacity. Similar concerns were raised regarding the timeline for new naval vessels.

Lessons from Poland

Romania is following a similar path to Poland, which recently decided to exclude the construction of three submarines from its own SAFE programme due to concerns about meeting the 2030 deadline. The success of these programmes depends on timely contract signings and efficient implementation, mirroring the process used for the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR).

Naval Procurement and Bureaucracy

Addressing a common question, General Toma explained that Romania’s ability to build warships for other countries, such as the Netherlands and Pakistan, while struggling to procure for its own needs is a matter of negotiation and bureaucratic processes within the Ministry of National defence. He cited excessive paperwork and frequent contestations of procurement procedures as contributing factors to delays.

Regional Security Concerns

Looking ahead, General Toma highlighted the potential for hybrid actions in Romania’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) as a primary security risk, particularly as Romania prepares to extract its first natural gas from the Neptun Deep project in 2027. He also assessed that military planners on both sides of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine have likely finalized their 2026 campaign plans, with potential offensives beginning in April or May. The potential for Russia to occupy the entire northern Black Sea coast remains a significant concern, potentially altering the security landscape for Romania and Moldova.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the SAFE programme?

SAFE (Security Action for Europe) is a European Union programme adopted in May 2025, providing 150 billion EUR in loans to stimulate investment in the European defence industry and critical infrastructure.

How much funding is Romania receiving through SAFE?

Romania is allocated 16.6 billion EUR through the SAFE programme, with approximately 9.6 billion EUR specifically designated for army modernization.

What are some of the concerns regarding Romania’s SAFE plan?

Some concerns have been raised about the prioritization of certain equipment, such as the H225M helicopter, and the ambitious timelines for programmes like infantry fighting vehicle production and naval vessel construction.