The rest went to a newly independent state of Moldova-which was then riven in a conflict by pro-Russian separatists. When the Soviet Union dissolved in 1991, some former Romanian territory became Ukraine’s, leaving Bucharest with a territorial disputes with Ukraine over possession of the infamous Snake Island near the key shipping channel in which the Danube River enters the Black Sea. The seized territory was reallocated to Ukraine and the Moldavan autonomous republic. In 1940, the Soviet Union forced Romania to cede the region of Bessarabia, a move greenlit under a secret accord with Nazi Germany. Complicated History: Romania, Russia, and Ukraine To be fair, direct engagements between tanks remain relatively rare in Ukraine. Ukraine has inducted a full battalion of Slovenian M-55S tanks also based on the T-55, but these heavily upgraded vehicles sport 105-millimeter L7 guns more likely to pierce Russian tank armor. (There is debate amongst experts on whether deplete uranium armor is more effective than Tungsten, or just much less costly.)Īs Romania receives Abrams, it could hypothetically transfer retired TR-85s to Ukraine- if there’s mutual interest. Romania will probably eventually receive the latest M1A2 variant, reconstructed from the hulls of retired older-model Abrams tanks, but fitted with tungsten armor instead of depleted uranium on U.S. Romania is now joining Poland, Taiwan, and Ukraine as late adopters of the Abrams more than four decades after it entered service. That still falls short given a typical T-72B has frontal hull and turret armor equivalent to 480-540 millimeters RHA versus kinetic shells. Romania did co-develop with Israel an unusually high-performing 100-millimeter tungsten fin-stabilized discarding-sabot (APFSDS) shell called the BM-421 Sg (or M309) that achieves 425 millimeters of penetration at 1 kilometer. In the 1990s, Romania developed an improved 55-ton TR-85M1 Bizonul (Bison) model fit with modern thermal night-fighting capable sensors harnessed to an indigenous Cyclops-M fire control systems (75 percent accuracy out to 1.86 miles), computer-aided gun stabilization, an uprated 860-horsepower engine, improved sloped spaced and composite armor to maximum 580-millimeter equivalent versus kinetic, and other survivability features.īut while the TR-85M1 and T-55AMs do benefit from respectable armor and fire control enhancements, they retain 100-millimeter guns that are underpowered by modern standards. 'Tanks for Tomorrow': PM Meets Three Stealth Tanks.It also counts 103 indigenous TR-85 tanks based on the T-55, and 54 heavily enhanced TR-85M1s. The Romanian Land Forces today dispose of one tank and five mechanized brigades, each with one battalion of tanks and two of infantry mounted on either BTR-style armored troop carriers (APCs), Piranha Vs, or tracked MIL-84 infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs).Īctive inventory includes 220 T-55AMs, an upgraded model with reinforced BDD-type laminated “brow” armor, laser range-finders, smoke grenade launchers, stabilized guns and sights, and gun-launched missile capability thanks to new fire control systems. Romania’s Tank Dilemma: Importation or Self-Sufficiency? Other notable Romanian arms deals in the works include a recent $410 million deal to procure seven Watchkeeper X unmanned combat air vehicles an armed drone based on the Israeli Hermes 450, which will lead to an assembly line opening in Romania and procurement of license-built Piranha-5 armored vehicles. A Tank Battle for the Future of Army Firepower.has thousands of M1s in storage, the annual capacity to refurbish these into modern vehicles remains low as heavy tanks were increasingly regarded as Cold War dinosaurs. It will take years before any tanks are delivered, however, between 31 tanks promised to Ukraine, Poland’s in-progress deliveries, and Taiwan, which is anxiously awaiting 108 M1A2T Abrams tanks. But Polish investments in M1 training, logistics, and maintenance could substantially ease service-entry costs for Romania. The total of $6.15 billion reflects the steep additional overhead costs to introducing the new type into service, and suggest a price hovering around or below the $1 billion mark for Romania. ![]() Neighboring Poland spent $4.75 billion for an order of 250 new M1A2s, followed by $1.4 billion for 116 used M1A1s from the U.S. Undoubtedly, the Abrams battalion will be expensive. Romania’s military modernization will complement an expanded NATO defensive contingent in Romania, including a rotating multi-national battlegroup under French command, supplementing elements of the 2 nd Armored Cavalry regiment equipped with Stryker armored vehicles and a 4,000-strong brigade of the 101 st Airborne Division. Can the M1 Abrams Tank Still Outgun Russia’s Best?.
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