Virgil Popescu, the interim economy minister, cousin of “the king” of the medical military system (ed.n-general Popescu), declared victorious: “Today I had a business meeting, at the Economy, Entrepreneurship and Tourism Ministry, with the General Dynamics representatives to discuss about the second phase of the acquisition contract of the Piranha 5 carriers by MAPN, and also about the association between ROMARM and GD, regarding their manufacturing in Romania (ed.n-according to the offset contract)”. We also find out it’s possible that General Dynamics is interested in acquiring the Bucharest Mechanical Factory, but… it will take a while. But we should prepare to manufacture the over 190 carriers as soon as possible. And that because, says Popescu, “the Romanian Army needs the Piranha carriers”.

Of course the Romanian Army needs modern technique, not wheeled coffins. The math just isn’t right, though. The contract (in 2017) provided for supplying 30 carriers until the end of 2018 and making up for the difference, up to 227, in offset regime, in our country until 2022. The first 36 have been delivered 3 (THREE!!!) years late, at the end of 2020. It’s 2021 and, according to the economy minister, there is no solution yet. Therefore, how will we receive (or manufacture) 197 carriers in one year? Let’s not mention that we also had to import 30… where did the other 6 come from??

It’s important to mention that the commanded carriers ordered are not amphibious. Even if the country’s geography suggested our military specialists otherwise. Or maybe it’s better if we ask ourselves how Piranha 3C and Piranha 5 are related? Unfortunately, “our Ciucă” influenced this equipping programme directly. We will be back soon, with details in an extensive material on Politica-Dezastrului.ro.

(an article by Edward Pastia)