Romanian defense minister visits Türkiye to enhance defence capabilities

Romanian Minister of National Defense Angel Tilvar visited Türkiye at the invitation of his counterpart, Yasar Guler. Accompanied by a delegation of senior officials from the ministry, Tilvar toured several defense industry production facilities, including the Istanbul and Golcuk Shipyards. The visit focused on discussions to support the development of Romania’s defense capabilities, according to Romanian News.

“On June 25 and 26, during his official visit to the Republic of Türkiye at the invitation of his counterpart Yasar Guler, the Minister of National Defense, Angel Tilvar, together with a delegation of senior officials from the ministry, visited several defense industry production facilities. The official program included visits to the Istanbul and Golcuk shipyards and attending a presentation by the management of ASFAT, a state-owned defense company,” the Romanian Ministry of National Defense announced.

The discussions included the company’s portfolio and ways it could support the development of Romania’s defense capabilities, according to the Romanian Ministry of National Defense.

“In discussions with representatives of defense industry companies in the Istanbul area, Minister Tilvar emphasized that the modernization and strengthening of the Romanian Naval Forces’ capabilities remain a primary concern for the Romanian Ministry of National Defence. He advocated for increased cooperation between defense industry companies in Turkey and Romania,” the ministry stated.

“The Ministry of National Defence is determined to leverage all opportunities to connect the national defense industry with the Romanian Army’s procurement programs, particularly through the transfer of modern technology, domestic production of state-of-the-art military equipment, and ensuring national maintenance options throughout the lifespan of the equipment acquired through these programs,” said Tilvar.

The Ministry of National Defense said that the Romanian Naval Forces are currently planning to make big purchases, such as Mobile Missile Launch Systems (SIML), two H215M helicopters that can fight on land, and two Sandown-class minehunters that they got through a government-to-government agreement with the U.K. These ships have greatly improved Romania’s ability to respond to threats from underwater mines.

Additionally, the modernization of the T22 frigates, the project for patrol vessels to protect critical infrastructure in the Black Sea basin, and preparations for the transition to European Patrol Corvettes through participation in the EU’s joint procurement program remain priority projects for the Naval Forces.