The director of ROMARM accuses that the defense industry was not consulted for the SAFE program: “We have no information that domestic production would be done”
The general director of ROMARM, Răzvan Pîrcălăbescu, said on Friday, March 13, that none of the member companies of the Defense Industry Employers' Organization (OPIA) were consulted for the SAFE program.
PHOTO: MApN
“Unfortunately, none of the member companies of the Employers' Organization in the Defense Industry were consulted for the SAFE program. We consider it a very good program, but if they do not consult with us, with the domestic business environment, I think it will not reach the expected result.
Unfortunately, we do not have any information that domestic production would be done within any of the OPIA companies. So the answer is no”he said on Antena 3 CNN
The director of ROMARM stated that Romania has the capacity to domestically produce almost all the equipment needed by the army, from ammunition of various calibers to drones, tanks, combat vehicles and howitzers.
He added that several companies in the automotive industry have shown interest in converting their activity to the production of military equipment, but there are limitations that prevent the realization of all these products at present.
According to GEO no. 62/2025, the financing accessed through SAFE is intended exclusively for the purchase of defense products, in order to strengthen defense capabilities. The object of funding is military capabilities and equipment, not their maintenance.
Contracts for new military capabilities may include an initial package of integrated logistics support, with spare parts, test equipment and technical documentation necessary for operation after delivery.
These will significantly involve the national defense industry, the percentage of local production to be determined by the Ministry of Economy, and the agreements will be negotiated with operators from the national and European defense industry.
The selected companies will be announced after the approval of the financing and the completion of the procedures, including the approval of the Supreme Council of Defense of the Country (CSAT).
In January, the European Commission approved Romania's application for financing through the SAFE instrument, which allows the country to access 16.68 billion euros, the second largest amount allocated under the program.
The instrument was established after the Council of the European Union adopted, on 27 May 2025, the Regulation on Action for European Security, intended to support Member States investing in defense industrial production through joint procurement.
