Romania, Germany expand strategic alliance with focus on ammunition production

Germany and Romania have agreed to enhance their strategic partnership in defence and security, according to a statement from the Romanian Ministry of Defence.

The agreement was reached during an official visit to Germany on July 18 by Romanian President Nicușor Dan, who was accompanied by Defence Minister Liviu-Ionuț Moșteanu and other senior officials, Caliber.Az reports, citing foreign media.

The visit aimed to advance strategic dialogue, strengthen defence and security cooperation, and reinforce economic ties between the two countries.

Both sides emphasised the importance of maintaining close cooperation within the NATO framework and underscored the need for coordinated responses to regional security threats, particularly in light of Russia’s ongoing war against Ukraine.

A major focus of the discussions was industrial cooperation in defence, specifically through the European Union’s SAFE (Support Act for European Defence Industry) program. The initiative aims to strengthen Europe’s collective defence capabilities by encouraging joint industrial projects among EU member states.

President Dan also highlighted efforts to counter disinformation and enhance democratic resilience as key areas of cooperation.

Speaking at a press conference in Berlin alongside German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, President Dan revealed that the German defence giant Rheinmetall is in advanced talks with Romania regarding the creation of a joint venture for ammunition production.

“At this moment, there are advanced negotiations between Rheinmetall and the Mediaș factory for a joint venture on munitions,” Dan said, referring to the facility under the state-owned Romarm defence group. “We hope these negotiations will end in the shortest time possible,” he added, though no specific timeline or further details were disclosed.

Addressing the EU SAFE initiative, President Dan noted that EU member states are currently in the phase of proposing joint projects. He said that initial financial proposals are expected by the end of the month, with concrete partnerships anticipated by mid-next year. “So, we are in the exploration phase of partnerships we can establish,” he explained.

The potential joint venture with Romarm’s Mediaș facility builds on Rheinmetall’s increasing footprint in Romania’s defence sector. Earlier this year, the German firm acquired a 72.5 per cent stake in the Romanian military vehicle manufacturer Automecanica Mediaș S.R.L., which has since been rebranded as Rheinmetall Automecanica.

The new subsidiary is set to produce and maintain Lynx KF41 infantry fighting vehicles, HX tactical trucks, and support air defence systems for the Romanian Armed Forces. Rheinmetall has also presented its Lynx KF41 and Skynex short-range air defence systems to Romanian officials at the Black Sea Defence & Aerospace exhibition in Bucharest as part of its broader engagement with Romania’s military modernisation plans.

By Tamilla Hasanova