Romania and Bavaria Strengthen Ties in Security and Defense Industry
A recent conference in Munich highlighted Romania's potential to become a competitive production hub in the security and defense sector. Organized by AHK România, the event brought together key players including the Bavarian Minister of Economy, Hubert Aiwanger, and representatives from the Munich and Upper Bavaria Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
The conference focused on enhancing cooperation between Romania and Bavaria, particularly in the realm of defense. Aiwanger emphasized the importance of improving defense capabilities, stating that Bavaria and Romania are connected by a story of economic success. This partnership aims to generate concrete investments and results, with the objective of increasing production and technology transfer to strengthen Romania's role in European value chains.
Sebastian Metz, General Director of AHK România, pointed out that Romania is not just a market but a competitive production hub. He noted the impressive growth in trade volume between Bavaria and Romania, which has increased fivefold over the past 20 years, reaching nearly 8 billion euros by 2025. Over 1,000 Bavarian companies maintain business relations with Romanian firms, making Romania one of Bavaria's top 15 global trade partners.
The event also featured a panel discussion moderated by Metz, where industry experts highlighted the necessity of localizing production and maintenance. Participants included representatives from various companies who underscored the need for development speed to align with strict quality and safety standards.
The significance of the security and defense industry was also evident, with Bavaria housing around 200 companies and employing approximately 50,000 people in this sector. Romania contributes over 100 active companies to the same industry. Notably, Bavarian company Quantum Systems recently delivered 56 Vector AI reconnaissance drones to Romania, valued at nearly 46 million euros, funded through the European SAFE program.
Romanian Minister of Economy, Irineu Darău, stated that the signing of a cooperation protocol marks a new phase in enhancing bilateral economic ties. He expressed hope that this collaboration will serve as a catalyst for industrial development in Romania, leading to more production and a stronger presence for Romanian companies in European supply chains. The conference was part of a high-level business delegation program that included a visit to Rheinmetall by the participating companies.