Israeli Defense Company ELBIT to Supply $120 Million Turrets, Weapon Stations, Mortar Systems to Romania

Elbit Systems Ltd. announced that its Romanian subsidiary, Elmet International SRL., was awarded a follow-on contract valued at $120 million from General Dynamics European Land Systems (GDELS) to supply unmanned turrets, Remote Controlled Weapon Stations (RCWS) and mortar systems for the ‘Piranha V’ Armored Personnel Carrier (APC) of the Romanian Armed Forces. The work will be performed in Romania over three years. 

The deal comes in a highly complicated geo-political environment, and Romania takes the necessary measures to prepare the country for an undesired escalation of the conflict in Ukraine.

Last year, Romania signed a contract with General Dynamics European Land Systems. This Europe-based business produces combat vehicles and formed a joint venture with a Mechanical plant in Bucharest (UMB) to manufacture another 133 armoured carriers Piranha 5, for Romanian Army. The combat vehicles and potential future export orders will be entirely manufactured in the Capital unit. General Dynamics European Land Systems (GDELS) and the Romanian Army have agreed on a framework contract worth around 900 million euros for 227 Piranha 5 fighting vehicles.

Under the follow-on contract, Elbit Systems will supply UT30 MK2 turrets, RCWS and the SPEAR mortar systems, all fully integrated onboard the GDELS’ ‘Piranha V’ APC. Elbit Systems’ UT30 MK2 is a 30mm unmanned light turret that integrates weapon systems, fire control systems, sensors and display systems for enhanced combat effectiveness, situational awareness and target acquisition capabilities.

The Company’s RCWS is a lightweight, high, accuracy 12.7mm weapon station. The SPEAR is a 120mm computerized autonomous vehicular mortar system.

This follow-on contract award is yet another vote of confidence in Elbit Systems’ portfolio of solutions for armoured platforms. Expanding our European integration and production capacity strengthens our ability to address the growing demand for advanced and proven capabilities for armoured platforms.

Bezhalel (Butzi) Machlis, Elbit Systems President & CEO

In addition to Romania, Elbit Systems’ turrets, RCWS, and mortar systems have been selected by dozens of customers worldwide, including Israel, the U.S.A, Denmark, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, and Croatia.

About Elbit Systems

Elbit Systems Ltd. is an international high-technology company engaged in various worldwide defence, homeland security and commercial programs. The Company, which includes Elbit Systems and its subsidiaries, operates in the areas of aerospace, land and naval systems, command, control, communications, computers, intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance (“C4ISR”), unmanned aircraft systems, advanced electro-optics, electro-optic space systems, EW suites, signal intelligence systems, data links and communications systems, radios, cyber-based systems and munitions. The Company also focuses on upgrading existing platforms, developing new technologies for defence, homeland security and commercial applications, and providing support services, including training and simulation systems.

Photo source: Elbit Systems