The Romanian Ministry of Defense (MApN) recently submitted a request to Parliament for the acquisition of AAV-7 amphibious vehicles from the U.S. Marine Corps inventory. According to official documents reviewed by DefenseRomania, the request is for 44 vehicles, doubling the initial plan.
This acquisition is part of Romania’s efforts to modernize and strengthen its armed forces. The document emphasizes the importance of equipping the military with modern means to ensure flexibility, survival on the battlefield, better mobility, enhanced situational awareness, and increased firepower. This initiative is part of the program to transform the Romanian military by 2040.
The order involves 44 AAV-7 vehicles, sourced from the U.S. Marine Corps’ inventory, with an estimated value of $210 million, excluding VAT. Romania intends to finalize this purchase through the U.S. Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program. The AAV-7 is a tracked armored amphibious vehicle designed to transport Marines and equipment from ship to shore and across hostile territories.
It can carry up to 25 Marines in addition to its three-member crew and is powered by a Detroit Diesel 8V-53T (P-7) or Cummins VT 400 903 (P-7A1) engine, with a range of 300 miles on land and 20 nautical miles in the water. The vehicle’s maximum speed reaches 72 km/h on roads, 32 km/h off-road, and 13 km/h in water, making it versatile for various environments.