DefMin Les: corvette procurement process is still within deadline

The corvette procurement process is still within deadline, currently undergoing an internal audit, as we are talking about 1.6 billion euro, Minister of National Defence Gabriel Les stated on Tuesday.

"We are still within the deadline (with the procedure - editor's note). We are talking about a 1.6 billion euro investment. Leaving aside all current speculations, my intention and MApN's is very clear: to buy exactly what we need for such a big amount, to respond to the operational requirements and integrate more and more in our defense industry. Precisely by discussing about such an amount, such a complex technique, I don't want to make any error," said Les, when heard by the Senate Defence Committee on this topic.

According to the MApN, the specific acquisition procedure is based on competition and it shall be finalized by signing a framework-agreement for the supply of products and services related to the essential endowment programme "Multifunctional corvette."

Moreover, ever since the entry into force of the first subsequent contract afferent to the framework-agreement, the first ship will be built and equipped within maximum three years, with the programme to be finalized with all the four corvettes, within maximum seven years.

In this context, Les specified that the members of the committee asked him to come to a hearing where to discuss the Army's endowment programmes.

"I was asked to have a meeting in the future to discuss about the programme that we have in mind for the next period. We didn't set a date, but we decided that I should come one day to make such a presentation," the Minister explained.

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