Romania launches first HIMARS maintenance centre in Europe

Romania has officially opened the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) Maintenance Centre in Bacău in eastern Romania, the first of its kind in Europe.

According to Defense Post, the inauguration is a joint project between Romanian aerospace firm Aerostar SA and Lockheed Martin, launched to provide technical support for the HIMARS systems purchased by Bucharest from the US.

Defence Minister Angel Tîlvăr explained that the hub is part of the ministry’s goal of linking the local defence industry to opportunities for capability procurement, management, and generation.

The Bacău facility is expected to employ 2,000 local workers, contributing to the economic development of the area.

Romania currently owns two HIMARS systems, with one more scheduled for delivery this year.

Romania has bolstered its air defence posture amid rising tensions in the region, collaborating with NATO and allied countries to promote security through modernization.

In May, local firm IAR Brasov and MBDA signed a deal to integrate the latter’s Marte ER missile systems into Romanian Naval Forces helicopters.

The navy plans to utilize the weapons as anti-surface warfare capabilities to counter threats in Romanian waters.

Earlier that same month, the US also approved a $340-million sale of 300 AIM-9X Sidewinder Block II missiles to the country. The Raytheon-produced weapons will be fitted onto Romania’s F-16 fleet.