Romanian state-owned company Romaero and US company Sikorsky, which is part of Lockheed Martin group, signed an industrial partnership agreement that will lead to creating a regional fitting-out and maintenance center for Black Hawk multirole helicopters.

The center in Bucharest will be the only one authorized to provide equipping and maintenance services for Black Hawk helicopters in Central Europe, according to the Economy Ministry.

“This agreement is a confirmation of the Romanian industry’s potential to make high-value added products,” economy minister Danut Andrusca said in a press release.

Sikorsky is competing with US group Bell Helicopter and European group Airbus for providing Romania with new multi-role military helicopters.

Romania has committed to spending 2% of its GDP each year on defense, which includes massive equipment acquisitions. Defense minister Mihai Fifor said he wanted these acquisitions to also bring contracts and technology transfer to Romania’s defense industry.

US group interested in making Black Hawk helicopters in Romania

editor@romania-insider.com