Economy minister: We are in talks with Beretta to produce a state-of-the-art weapon in Plopeni

A state-of-the-art Beretta weapon could be produced in Plopeni, as negotiations with the Italians are 60 percent finalized and the contract could be concluded in the summer, while the first assembly of the weapon should take place in the autumn, said the Economy minister Niculae Badalau for Antena 3.

“We are 60 percent sure that Romania will produce a state-of-the-art weapon, generation 4, with Beretta. It will be produced in Plopeni, we have had negotiations and they have chosen the location. In the first phase, we will provide over 30 percent of its components, because it is very clear that we cannot produce everything in the first phase. I think we will sign the contract by the summer and we will have the first weapon made in the autumn,” said Badalau.

He pointed out that it was a zero-kickback weapon, and that there had been discussions with the Ministry of Defense who had tested the weapon.

“It is a zero-rebound, 5.56 caliber NATO weapon, the latest generation. The weapons have been refined, every year there has been a lot of research, and we are talking about a worldwide brand, Beretta. There was a much wider discussion with the Defense Ministry, they tested it and chose what was best for the Romanian army,” said the Economy Minister.

The defense industry can and must become a driver for the development of the Romanian economy, because it is based on quality and there are a lot of professionals here, according to Badalau.

“The defense industry can and must become a driving force for the development of the Romanian economy. It is an industry in which I am pleased to find a lot of professionals. I met with the unions, I told them about my projects, what I think should be done in the defense industry and they were very excited. The defense industry is based on one thing: quality – and here we have two aspects: we are helping the economy in general, but also we provide modern weapons for our soldiers in the operations theaters. We are in an elite division, NATO, where, together with the United States and others, we form one of the most modern armies of the world,” said Badalau.

He pointed to the collaboration with General Motors for amphibian vehicles, with Rheinmetall for the AGILIS 8X8 armored transporter vehicle and another 8X8 armored conveyor that is being worked on and will be delivered this year to the Romanian army.