CSAT members approve Romania's request under the SAFE instrument

   Members of the Supreme Council for National Defence (CSAT) approved on Monday Romania's request under the Security Action for Europe (SAFE) instrument, the Presidential Administration informed.The CSAT examined on Monday the Investment Plan for the defence industry, drafted under the SAFE Regulation, based on which Romania's request will be submitted to the European Commission."By the end of this week, following a coordination with the European Commission's Directorate-General for Defence Industry and Space (DG DEFIS), the Government, through the Prime Minister's Chancellery, will send the specific forms needed to formally register Romania's documentation," the Presidential Administration release mentioned.The funds allocated to Romania, worth 16,680,055,394 euro, will be directed as follows: 75 percent towards the procurement of military equipment, public order and civil protection. The remaining 25 percent will go to dual-use infrastructure, namely the two motorway sections Pascani-Siret and Pascani-Ungheni."The most substantial programmes of Romania include a requirement for at least 50 percent domestic production, in some cases this share will reach 100 percent for security and sovereignty reasons over a critical production process. In the coming period, the European Commission will examine each proposal, and by the end of January it will approve the national plans submitted. All SAFE programmes must be completed by 2030, which entails accelerated procedures for programme delivery and for investments in the necessary production capacities," the release mentioned.Discussions will follow regarding possible collaborations "in a government-to-government format" or with major European manufacturers. An "essential" criterion is the development of the Romanian industry through investment in new production capacities and by "bringing Romanian companies into European supply and value chains," the release stated."After the national plan is approved by the European Commission, the Government, through the Prime Minister's Chancellery, will create a 'match-making' web platform, where all programmes and any selected partners will be presented, enabling Romanian companies to register their production, design and software capabilities. This web platform will serve as a tool for identifying Romanian suppliers and connecting them with major manufacturers in the European defence industry," according to the release.According to the quoted source, expanding production capacities is essential for Romania's strategic independence and for meeting the short delivery deadline, set for autumn 2030."Companies in Romania and new investments in production capacities in our country can contribute to the development of the European military industry, the goal of the SAFE programme," the Presidential Administration mentioned.  (Photo:https://www.presidency.ro/)