Romania, along other six European states, to shelter U.S. heavies

While in Tallinn, Estonia on Tuesday, Defense Secretary Ash Carter announced that the U.S. will deploy about 250 tanks, armored vehicles and other military equipment to seven European nations to help reassure NATO allies facing an array of threats from Russia and terrorist groups.

Each set of equipment would be enough to equip a military company or battalion, and would go on at least a temporary basis to Bulgaria, Estonia, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, and Romania. Carter said the equipment could be moved around the region for training and military exercises, and would include Bradley fighting vehicles and self-propelled howitzer artillery guns.

The countries for the equipment storage were chosen based on their proximity to training ranges, to reduce the time and cost of transporting it for exercises.

At the same time, the joint plenum of the Romanian Parliament on Tuesday approved President Iohannis’ request of setting up a NATO Force Integration Unit and a Multinational Division South-East Headquarters in the Bucharest Garrison.

The Romania’s President argued in the letter that “considering the Ukrainian crisis and Russia’s aggressive actions in the region (…) NATO Summit in UK represented a benchmark for testing the Alliance’s solidarity regarding reaffirming the commitment to the collective defence.”