Romania - Navy - Modernization
Romania's Navy will be equipped with state-of-the-art hardware and equipment. The geopolitical aspects of the area call for the Naval Forces to adapt their future missions in order to adequately respond to the asymmetric challenges. In order to accomplish the military tasks and objectives Romania committed to within the North Atlantic Alliance, the Naval Forces have drawn up medium and long-term acquisition plans. Currently, major acquisition programs are in progress, at various stages, focusing on the upgrading of 22-class frigates, the setting up of the maritime surveillance system, the purchase of mine hunters and corvettes and the creation of the integrated communication system for the Naval Forces.
The Romanian Government signed in early 2003 a purchase contract with the UK Government for the delivery of two 22-type frigates which had been replaced by a state-of-the-art frigate line by the British Royal Navy. The contract amounts to some 116 million sterling and it provides for the complete overhaul of the two frigates by Bae System British group, before takeover by the Romanian side. The purchase contract was financed 100 percent by foreign loans guaranteed by the Romanian Government and it provides for an offset program of reinvestment of the contract's value in Romanian-British economic partnerships. Some 80 to 90 percent of the program will benefit exclusively the Romanian industry. Thus, the defence industry will get 60 percent in direct orders with participation in privatisation bids or investments, while 20 to 30 percent will benefit the civil industry. The remainder of the program is allotted to the Romanian Defence Ministry (MApN), for the training and documentation activity, as well as for the logistics and design industry.
Two frigates purchased from the British Navy increased the capability of Romanian Navy's fulfilling its defence obligations to NATO. On 09 September 2004, at Portsmouth, UK, held the reception ceremony of the King Ferdinand frigate, which was awarded a battle flag in the presence of Romania's President. The frigate's takeover ceremony was held in the presence of Romania's president Ion Iliescu, of Romanian Defence Minister Ioan Mircea Pascu, Romanian Army General Chief of Staff, General Mihail Popescu, Romanian Navy General Chief of Staff, Rear Admiral Gheorghe Marin, Vice-Admiral of the UK Sir James Burnell Nugent, as well as the mayors of Portsmouth and Constanta (southeastern Romania), Jason Fazackarley and Radu Mazare respectively, with an overall 168 officials and 203 members of the Romanian crew aboard the King Ferdinand attending festivities.
On this occasion, Romania's President said that the purchase of this frigate as well as that of the next, to be named Queen Mary, was an effort to revamp the Romanian Navy and Army in a move to comply with Romania's new statute as a full NATO member. The Romanian head of state pointed to the strategic partnership forged over the past years by Romania and Great Britain both in the military field and in all the other domains. Vice-Admiral of the UK Sir James Burnell Nugent said that with the endowment of the Romanian fleet with a modern frigate, Romania will be able to conduct joint operations with the other naval forces of NATO member countries, underscoring the current partnership of the two countries within NATO. The two frigates are an important step for Romania, Sir James Burnell Nugent said, standing proof of the country's commitment to taking on the responsibilities entailed by its NATO member statute.
The Queen Mary frigate, undergoing regeneration works at that time, was expected in Romania in December 2004. Both frigates came out equipped with modern missile, artillery and torpedo systems. The creation of a modern, efficient and economical navy able to meet the new challenges entails the implementation of the multi-role navy concept in 2007. This concept requires that a multi-role force be equipped and trained to be able to carry out specific classic missions as well as the missions made necessary by the current asymmetrical risks and threats. Romania's navy training has been adjusted to the NATO standards and could provide the officers with the necessary skills required by the use of the navy capabilities on the national territorial watercourses as well as in multinational missions.
Romania submitted a request for information on AEGIS in early 2008. The US Ambassador and country team did not believe acquisition of an AEGIS system should be high on Romania's priority list given defense budget constraints. Romania must refit the two Type-22 Frigates purchased from the UK with weapons systems as well as command and control systems. The Romanian Deputy Minister of Defense has expressed Romania's willingness to support NATO's Missile Defense Program with its frigates if equipped with AEGIS or an AEGIS-like system to cover radar coverage gaps in the Black Sea Region.
If the US approved Romania to purchase an AEGIS system, this will greatly expand the Romanian Navy's capabilities. Romania has common borders with Bulgaria, Serbia, Hungary, Ukraine, Moldova and the Black Sea. Romania's purchase of AEGIS systems will not likely elicit negative responses from any of these countries. However, Russia would likely strongly oppose this purchase as it would feel threatened by any potential enhancement to NATO MD capabilities. Turkey would likewise voice reservations about Romania acquiring AEGIS because it would infringe on Turkey,s Black Sea influence.
The RO Navy is completely capable of operating, maintaining, supporting, and securing AEGIS systems and all associated equipment. As of 2008 the Romanian Ministry of Defense strategic acquisition plan did not include AEGIS. To afford AEGIS, Romania will need to modify its strategic acquisition plan. As of 2008 Romania's strategic acquisition plan included six programs at a cost in excess of 17 billion Euros: Air Force--Multi-Role Fighters and Long-Range Air Defense; Army -- 8x8 Armored Personnel Carriers and 4x4 tactical vehicles; Navy--Corvettes (4) and Minesweepers (4). Additionally, Romania was negotiating with Raytheon for a Hawk XXI Air Defense Missile upgrade program estimated at $150 million. If the USG released sale of AEGIS to Romania, Romania will require financing to purchase the system. In February 2005 the Naval Helicopter in the plans drawn by the engineers from Brasov who adopted the solution to build it on the IAR 330 PUMA variant using a modern avionics and specific fly element over water. The PUMA helicopter was designed in the mid 60s for carrying out medium transport missions. Originally marketed for the French Army it was built under license by IAR Ghimbav, under the name IAR-330 PUMA. The first flight of the prototype took place on April 15, 1965. In Romania, there were 163 helicopters built both civilian and military purposes. 104 aircrafts were built for the Romanian Air Forces. Among these, 24 were updated to the version IAR-330 PUMA SOCAT, destined for anti-tank vehicle and three were built for the Romanian Naval Forces. The requirements for the equipment on board Romanian frigates fitted with helicopters and the need for a functional airborne service above the sea level have determined IAR Ghimbav to claim three helicopters that fulfill the requirements specific to the marine environment.
Chief of the General Staff, Admiral Ph.D. Gheorghe Marin participated Friday, 13 July 2007, in the ceremony of the first IAR 330 PUMA NAVAL entrance in the service of the Romanian Navy. The ceremony was organized in Constanta military bay with the participation of representatives of the local authorities and the main institutions from Constanta, Admirals, Generals and officers of the Romanian Navy and Air Force, representatives of the constructing company, journalists and public. After the presentation of the honor and the religious ceremony, chief of the general Staff, Admiral Ph.D. Gheorghe Marin, the chief of the Navy, Flotilla Rear-Admiral Dorin Danila and the commander of the Helicopter Group, Lieutenant commander Alexandru Ionescu delivered their speeches. The guests visited an exhibition and at the end participated in a demonstrative exercise of the IAR 330 PUMA NAVAL piloted by Commander Tudorel Duta and Lieutenant commander Alexandru Ionescu.
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