The General Dynamics M1A2 SEPv3 Abrams tank. (Courtesy of GDLS)
WASHINGTON — The US State Department today approved Romania to buy 54 M1A2 SEPv3 Abrams Main Battle Tanks, with a potential price tag of $2.53 billion.
The potential sale was announced on the website of the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA). Announcements made by DSCA are not final, as Congress can still weigh in and oppose the sale, though that is almost certainly not going to happen with three NATO nations. Importantly, final quantities and dollar totals can shift during negotiations.
The agreement would cover the 54 tanks, as well as four M88A2 HERCULES Combat Recovery Vehicles, four M1110 Joint Assault Bridges and a whole host of other support equipment — including 5,940 120mm M1147 High Explosive, Multipurpose, Tracer (HEMP-T) cartridges and 4,230 120mm M1002 Target Practice Multipurpose, Tracer (TPMP-T) cartridges.
General Dynamics Land Systems is the prime contractor, although more than a dozen other firms are listed on the DSCA announcement.
“The proposed sale will improve Romania’s capability to meet current and future threats by providing a credible force that is capable of deterring adversaries and participating in NATO operations,” DSCA wrote in its announcement. “Romania will have no difficulty absorbing this equipment into its armed forces.”
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Today’s tank announcement is the fourth Foreign Military Sale (FMS) request for Romania to be approved by DSCA in 2023. In March, Bucharest was approved to spend $104 million for 95 Heavy Gun Carriers Joint Light Tactical Vehicles; in June, for an F-16 modernization effort with a $105 million estimated price tag; and in July, for 16 Assault Amphibious Vehicles at an estimated cost of $120.5 million.
If the US Army gets its way, more nations may be buying US-made ground vehicles in the future. Army undersecretary Gabe Camarillo has declared 2024 the “year of Army security cooperation,” announcing during October’s ASUA conference that his office has launched a review of how to speed up arms sales for partners and allies in a “fundamental way.”
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