On May 29, 2026, the Romanian Ministry of Defence announced a contract with Rheinmetall to supply offshore patrol boats and diving support boats for the Romanian Navy.
By Lars Hoffman / Hartpunkt
According to a press release from the Romanian Defence Ministry, a contract was signed with NVL BV& Co. KG, which recently became part of Rheinmetall AG, for the purchase of two offshore patrol boats and two diving support boats with a total value of 920 million euros excluding VAT.
According to the announcement, the funding is provided through the European program “Security Action for Europe” (SAFE). The aim of the two SAFE-funded projects is to strengthen Romania’s defense capabilities and contribute to regional stability and the security of the maritime borders of the European Union and NATO, the announcement states.
According to earlier press reports, the offshore patrol boats are so-called Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs), which are to be upgraded to a higher performance standard and are similar to the MMPVs that NVL is supplying to Bulgaria. The reports state that over 800 million euros are earmarked for these two corvette-sized vessels alone.
Rheinmetall announced in early May that it, together with the Swiss company MSC, was interested in acquiring the bankrupt Romanian shipyard Mangalia. Both partners are reportedly considering extensive investments to modernize the shipyard and transform it into a dual-use hub for military and civilian shipbuilding. According to press reports, the ships now ordered could be built at the shipyard.
This article by Lars Hoffman was originally published in German language at hartpunkt.de. It has been translated and republished with authorization.