Economy minister: Objectives Romanian Army wants to acquire through SAFE to be revealed on Nov 29

The objectives that the Romanian Army wants to acquire through SAFE and the potential companies with which contracts could be concluded will be announced on November 29, Minister of Economy, Digitalization, Entrepreneurship and Tourism Radu Miruta told a Thursday's press conference.He added that all "entities" that meet the eligibility conditions for the SAFE program will be taken into account."I am referring to all entities that meet the eligibility conditions for SAFE, namely: if they are from the European Union, they meet them implicitly; if they are from outside the European Union, three conditions must be met: one - to have a presence in Romania, to have a company registered in Romania, the second - to be able to demonstrate that 65% of the product they will sell is made in Romania and the third - for the Romanian Government to decide whether it wants to send a letter of guarantee for the seriousness of that company. We are not in this situation until we are convinced that the first two are met and we are convinced that it benefits us. Romania should no longer enjoy the news that an investor has come, because behind this news, very often there have been financial conditions to Romania's disadvantage - and we see the situation at Damen, we see the situation at Sidex. This is what happened because the Romanian state sat on its knees and accepted to be hit in the head with a ladle to the disadvantage of the Romanian state. On November 29 we will tell you what are the objectives that the Romanian Army wants to acquire through SAFE and who are the potential ones that compete to sell these things, that is, the potential companies - one, two, three each for each product, with that thing to be finalized up to six months later", Miruta emphasized.Asked whether the purchase of tanks was discussed during the visit to South Korea, the Minister Miruta replied: "Yes, of course. Romania already has a contract to purchase K9 tanks for which a factory is being built in Dambovita County. I saw what those products that are being made for Romania look like. There are countries that have already purchased before us and are being delivered to the production line. I went to inquire about the best commercial conditions for companies outside the European Union. I am interested in purchasing, in compliance with the SAFE mechanism, the best option to fulfill what the Romanian Army says it needs, and for this I am sitting at the table with all those who produce, who meet these conditions".South Korean company Hanwha intends to build, in two years, an armament factory in Dambovita County, with the prospect of it becoming a regional hub for components, maintenance and repairs, Michael Coulter, CEO of Hanwha Global Defense, said in a meeting with Romanian journalists in mid-March.The first tranche of 18 K9 howitzers and 12 K10 ammunition refueling vehicles will be delivered directly from South Korea, and at the same time the factory will be built in Romania, he mentioned.According to the contract, Hanwha will deliver the vehicles in stages over the next five years, with the first delivery to take place by early 2027. Most of the vehicles will be manufactured in Romania, with extensive involvement of local suppliers. Deliveries will be made in three installments of 18 K9 and 12 K10 respectively.The delivery period for the first system is 30 months from the signing, for the second - 40 months from the signing and for the third - 60 months.