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Minister Tudose: branch of Romarm, Fagaras Powder Factory, to be opened again
Airbus Helicopters Company will begin manufacture of military model H215M at Ghimbav factory, most likely in 2019, the minister of economy Mihai Tudose declared in an interview granted to News.ro. Speaking about plans to develop the defence industry, Tudose pointed out that he intended to reopen Fagaras Powder Factory, a branch of Romarm, in a few months.
The French helicopter manufacturer Airbus Helicopters has recently signed with the Romanian company IAR a general exclusive cooperation accord to manufacture H215M helicopter in Romania. IAR will become the main contractor for any helicopter order made by the Defence Ministry to renew its helicopter fleet.
“There is a long tradition between Airbus and Ghimbav Brasov. A collaboration contract was signed. I am optimistic about the speed things progress,” Tudose declared.
Minister Tudose said about the defence industry, in the interview granted to News.ro, that the government wanted that most of the 2% allocated from the state budget for Defence should be found in the Romanian defence industry, in technological transfer, new products, upgrading and developing new products.
“I am satisfied about the way in which things progress in research and development. We come with new things in the defence industry. I am optimistic about this area,” Tudose mentioned in the interview.
The official admits that the number of employees in the defence industry dropped in the last years, creating difficulties in ensuring the staff needed for starting and increasing production.
“We have been trying for some time to reopen a factory - Fagaras Powder Factory. As soon as possible. Some investments were made by us in 2015. We need managerial impulse. We are trying to open as soon as possible. Special authorisations are needed for a special factory. All conditions must be observed,” Tudose added.
Fagaras Powder Factory is the single power explosive and solid propeller manufacturer in Romania.
The factory closed down in 2014. Since then the 200 employees tried to preserve, secure, maintain, guard and administer the unit.