Germany and Romania agree to build a military factory following developments in NATO’s eastern flank

According to RCO News Agency, in the middle of Europe’s efforts to rearm against Russia, Romania, as a NATO member, signed an agreement on Monday with the German defense company Rheinmetall to build a gunpowder factory in the center of the country.

The Associated Press News agency wrote: After signing this joint investment agreement between the Romanian governments and Europe’s largest arms producer, “Ilye Bulojan” considered it a sign that Romania is “turning into a potential actor in the defense industry of Southeast Europe”.

Construction of the 535-million-euro ($616 million) plant in the city of Victoria in Brasov County is expected to begin in 2026, take three years to complete and create around 700 local jobs, Bolojan said. Romania will finance part of its financial contribution through the European Security Action for Europe mechanism to encourage defense preparedness.

He added: After several years when our defense industry had few demands, Romania is entering a new phase due to the security situation in Eastern Europe. I am glad that Rheinmetall sees us as an important and serious partner and is strengthening its presence in Romania.

Armin Papperger, CEO of Rheinmetall, said that the munitions that will be produced at the plant are “needed all over the world and especially in Europe” and will make Romania a key player in the continent’s defense ecosystem.

Papperger added: The desired strategy is to make Romania an integral part of the European ecosystem. Romania will also be an integral part of the NATO ecosystem.

The Eastern European country has played an increasingly prominent role in NATO since the start of the Ukraine War in 2022. It has donated a Patriot missile system to Ukraine and established an international training center for F-16 fighter pilots from allied countries, including Ukraine.

In recent months, drones have been spotted with increasing frequency over military installations across Europe. European capitals have considered it a deliberate Russian invasion and a threat to the territorial integrity of Eastern NATO countries.

At the same time, Russia has considered the flight of its drones and fighters near the eastern borders of NATO as part of the normal operations of its aircraft and has denied any role in such incidents.

end of message