Romania to sign €2.5 billion contract in 2025 to equip up to 15 battalions with modern infantry fighting vehicles.

As reported by Defence Industry Europe on May 4, 2025, the Romanian Ministry of National Defence (MApN) is expected to sign a contract in 2025 for the acquisition of 246 tracked infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs). The agreement is part of a two-phase program aimed at procuring nearly 300 IFVs in total. The first phase, which includes training simulators and initial logistical support, is estimated to cost over €2.5 billion, while the complete procurement of 298 vehicles could approach €3 billion. The new IFVs are intended for the Romanian Land Forces and are expected to be delivered over an eight-year period.
Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link

Romania currently operates approximately 142 tracked IFVs, most of which are MLI-84s and MLI-84M "Jderul" variants. (Picture source: MApN)

The Ministry has categorized this program as a priority, specifically designed to enhance the mobility, firepower, and battlefield protection of mechanized infantry units. Romania currently operates approximately 142 tracked IFVs, most of which are MLI-84s and MLI-84M "Jderul" variants. The MLI-84 was developed during the 1980s based on a Soviet BMP-1 chassis, while the MLI-84M upgrade program was launched in the mid-1990s to bring the platform closer to NATO standards. Despite these upgrades, the platforms are now considered technologically outdated, and the Ministry has assessed that their replacement is necessary to meet current operational requirements and NATO interoperability standards.

The objective of the program is to increase the number of tracked IFVs in service by approximately 50%, with the final figure projected at nearly 300 units. The initial procurement of 246 vehicles is the first stage of a phased approach. The replacement of the MLI-84 and MLI-84M platforms is considered necessary due to their aging design, declining maintainability, and limited protection and systems integration capacity. Romania intends to use this procurement to establish local industrial capabilities in tracked vehicle production, maintenance, and overhaul. The Ministry stated that this will be pursued through technology transfer, localized production, and the creation of a domestic MRO base. The offset component of the procurement is currently being discussed by national institutions and will need to be approved by the Supreme Council of National Defence. Only after this approval will the bidding process formally begin. According to DefenseRomania, discussions are underway to define the scope of domestic industrial involvement and offset obligations.

At least four major international defense companies have expressed interest in the Romanian IFV program. During the BSDA 2024 exhibition held in Bucharest, Rheinmetall (KF41 Lynx), BAE Systems (CV90), Hanwha Aerospace (Redback), and General Dynamics European Land Systems (ASCOD 2) displayed their proposals. Other companies have also shown interest, including Polska Grupa Zbrojeniowa (PGZ) with the Borsuk IFV and Türkiye’s Otokar with the Tulpar vehicle. These companies have existing or previous defense cooperation with Romania. PGZ confirmed its interest in the program during the MSPO 2024 exhibition in Kielce, Poland. Otokar also indicated interest, although the specific technical configurations proposed have not yet been disclosed.

Rheinmetall participated in BSDA 2024 under the brand Rheinmetall Automecanica, shortly after acquiring a majority shareholding in two companies from the Automecanica Mediaș group in Romania. Hanwha Aerospace is currently producing 54 K9 self-propelled howitzers under a 2024 contract signed with Romania. The K9 platform, marketed domestically as K9 "Tunetul", is being assembled in Romania and shares key components—such as the chassis, engine, and transmission—with the Redback IFV. GDELS manufactures the PIRANHA 5 armored personnel carrier in Romania, while BAE Systems was involved in the delivery and modernization of the naval vessels Regele Ferdinand and Regina Maria. All companies have worked with Romanian authorities on other defense programs, which may be relevant when evaluating integration and logistics capabilities.

The Romanian Armed Forces plan to use the new IFVs as the primary maneuver asset within their future mechanized infantry brigades. Analysts have indicated that, together with newly acquired tanks, the tracked IFVs will form the operational nucleus of Romania’s Land Forces. If fully implemented, the program is expected to equip 10 to 15 mechanized infantry battalions with modern combat vehicles. These formations would operate under NATO doctrine and be capable of interoperability with allied forces in regional or multinational missions.

The MLI-84 infantry fighting vehicle (IFV) was developed by Romania following the 1968 Warsaw Pact invasion of Czechoslovakia, which Romania did not support. (Picture source: Wikimedia/Mircea87)

The MLI-84 infantry fighting vehicle (IFV) was developed by Romania following the 1968 Warsaw Pact invasion of Czechoslovakia, which Romania did not support. This event led the Romanian leadership to prioritize domestic military production. In 1982, Romania obtained a license from the Soviet Union to produce 178 BMP-1 vehicles with modifications tailored to local industrial capabilities. This license was provided free of charge for vehicles intended for Romanian use and also permitted design changes. The resulting vehicle, designated MLI-84, featured a domestically developed 8V-1240-DT-S engine rated at 360 hp, designed by the National Institute for Thermal Engines in Brașov with AVL (Austria). The longer and wider hull accommodated the larger engine and increased internal fuel capacity to 600 liters. Production took place between 1984 and 1991 at Uzina Mecanică Mârșa, resulting in 178 units.

In 1995, a modernization decision was made to align the IFV with NATO standards. The upgrade program began in 1996, involving Romanian entities including ACTTM, MFA Mizil, Romarm subsidiaries, Pro Optica, and others, along with foreign companies such as Rafael, Caterpillar, Rheinmetall, General Dynamics, and EADS. The upgraded vehicle was designated MLI-84M "Jderul". The program aimed to enhance firepower, mobility, protection (including laser/radar warning, smoke launchers, fire suppression, and air conditioning), and command and control systems. The Romanian Land Forces ordered 99 vehicles to equip three mechanized infantry battalions. The first MLI-84M units entered service with the 282nd Mechanized Brigade in 2005. As of 2009, 26 MLI-84s remained operational, and in 2008, 81 were recorded in UN reports. The modernization program is still ongoing.

The MLI-84M weighs 17.6 tonnes, has a length of 7.320 meters, a width of 3.3 meters, and a height of 2.942 meters. It has a crew of three (commander, driver, and gunner) and carries eight soldiers. The vehicle is powered by a 400 hp Caterpillar C9 turbocharged diesel engine, liquid-cooled and electronically controlled, delivering a specific power of 23.4 hp/ton. It has a maximum road speed of 65 km/h and an operational range of 550–600 km. The suspension system includes torsion bars and hydraulic shock absorbers on the first, second, and sixth road wheels. Ground clearance is 400 mm. Armor provides protection against 12.7 mm heavy machine gun fire. The MLI-84M is armed with a 25 mm Oerlikon KBA-07 rifled autocannon mounted in an OWS-25R overhead turret, a coaxial 7.62 mm PKT machine gun, and either a Maljutka-2T or Israeli Spike anti-tank guided missile system.

The autocannon is stabilized on two axes (vertical and horizontal) and has a firing rate of 600 rounds per minute, with an effective range of 4,000 meters. Additional systems include thermal smoke generators, 81 mm smoke grenade launchers, and laser/radar warning sensors. Due to increased weight and size, the vehicle’s amphibious capability requires special preparation and is more limited compared to the original BMP-1. Unlike the BMP-1’s four roof hatches, the MLI-84 has three, with a 12.7 mm DShK machine gun installed near the left rear door, operated by a soldier seated next to the door. This configuration prevents simultaneous infantry dismounting and machine gun operation on that side.

The original MLI-84 was followed by several derivative versions. The MLI-84M "Jderul" introduced the OWS-25R turret, thermal and smoke countermeasures, and ATGM launchers for either Maljutka-2T or Spike missiles. Another variant replaced the turret with a high superstructure, forming the MLI-84M Punct de Comandă Batalion, equipped as a mobile battalion command post. The MLI-84M TEHEVAC is a recovery version with an external hydraulic crane, rear-mounted winch, and additional storage boxes. The MLI-84M MEDEVAC has a similar superstructure and is adapted for medical evacuation and first aid.

Based on the same chassis, Romania developed the Model 89 self-propelled howitzer by integrating a 122 mm gun and turret from the Soviet 2S1 Gvozdika onto a modified MLI-84 hull. A total of 42 units were assembled using turrets delivered via Bulgaria, and the guns were manufactured by Arsenal Reșița. These systems were designated OAP 122 and withdrawn to storage in 2005. Another variant, the Tun Antitanc Autopropulsat Model 1985, was intended as a tank destroyer to replace the SU-76 but did not enter production.