Economy Ministry and General Dynamics sign understanding memorandum to manufacture and deliver armoured vehicles
Economy Ministry and Romarm, through the Bucharest Mechanical Plant and the US company General Dynamic have signed on Tuesday an understanding memorandum and a collaboration agreement, with Prime Minister Mihai Tudose attending the ceremony.
General Dynamics owns the Mowag plant, namely the Swiss company which produces armoured vehicles.
According to a release of the Gov't, by signing the documents, the two parties commit to collaborate, in accordance with the objectives they took on regarding the endowment of Romania's Army, in the prospect of producing and delivering Piranha V Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV) for the National Defence Ministry (MApN).
The memorandum establishes the preliminary direction lines of the cooperation and future actions, aimed at building a joint venture between the Bucharest Mechanical Plant and General Dynamic, that will produce armoured vehicles for Romania's Army, the quoted source explains.
In the future venture, the Bucharest Mechanical Plant will participate with assets representing manufacturing lines and hired personnel, who will undergo training courses at the US company headquarters. General Dynamics will participate in this joint venture with investments in upgrading production capabilities and integrating the production of armored vehicles, the Government release mentions.
"The conclusion of this collaboration between a state company of Romania and US company General Dynamics is an extraordinary moment for the Romanian defence industry," PM Mihai Tudose stated.
The ceremony was also attended by Deputy PM Marcel Ciolacu, Economy Minister Gheorghe Simon, Defence Minister Mihai Fifor and US Ambassador to Romania Hans Klemm.