Romania's Defence Employers' Organisation (OPIA) is reaffirming its support for the investment and development guidelines undertaken by the German concern Rheinmetall in Romania, according to a press release of the organisation issued on Monday.

'In a European security context that requires the accelerated increase of military production facilities, the organisation's representatives recently participated in a high-level strategic event organised by the German partners, aimed at strengthening industrial cooperation. The meeting highlighted the long-term commitment of the industrial giant to integrating both state-owned companies and private actors from the national industry in its value chain. Following the dialogue sessions and the B2B (business-to-business) meetings, clear directions of cooperation were outlined and the local partners capable of ensuring the implementation of Rheinmetall's future industrial projects in Romania were concretely identified,' the release mentions.

According to OPIA, collaboration targets four major pillars of action. In the field of naval systems (NVL), a direction of strategic interest to Romania is outlined, with the German company aiming to develop and secure the infrastructure necessary for assembly and maintenance operations. At the same time, in the field of armaments and ammunition, Romania becomes an essential link in the security architecture of the European Firepower project, which provides for the doubling of the continental powder production capacities, an effort materialised locally through the development of a new factory.

This projection is completed by the tactical and armoured vehicle systems sector, a direction strongly supported by the advanced stage of negotiations with the Romanian state for the Lynx infantry fighting vehicle programme.

Last but not least, the partnership places special emphasis on electronic solutions and safety systems, with the objective being to facilitate the transfer of technology and know-how to Romanian companies in order to modernise and digitalise the military at the highest NATO standards

OPIA adds that a key catalyst for this joint effort is the SAFE programme, under which contracts vital to national security have been awarded. These provide for the construction of four military ships of major strategic importance, namely two patrol ships and two intervention ships for divers. The status of main winner of the SAFE programme confirms Rheinmetall's direct involvement and firm commitment to the domestic market, both in the naval and ammunition production segments.

'The partnership with Rheinmetall goes beyond the paradigm of a simple acquisition. We are talking about a complex process of technology transfer, about securing supply chains at European level and, implicitly, about the revitalisation of the national defence industry. The fact that a world-class manufacturer is actively seeking to integrate state and privately-owned companies in Romania into its global ecosystem represents an opportunity that OPIA is fully prepared to capitalise on to the fullest,' OPIA's management is quoted as saying in the release. AGERPRES (RO - editing by: Cristian Anghelache; EN - writing by: Corneliu-Aurelian Colceriu)

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