Romania plans to develop Neptun missiles with Ukraine - mass media
Kyiv • UNN
Romania intends to cooperate with Ukraine in the development of weapons, especially Neptun missiles. The aim is to strengthen control over the Black Sea after the war and strengthen the defense partnership.
Romania plans to develop armaments jointly with Ukraine, focusing on R-360 Neptun anti-ship missiles. This UNN reports with reference to Army Recognition.
“Romania, following the example of other European countries, plans to develop armaments jointly with Ukraine, paying special attention to the R-360 Neptune anti-ship missiles,” the report said.
The importance of cooperation between Bucharest and Kiev in the defense sector, as well as in the energy sector, was stressed by Ukrainian Ambassador to Romania Ihor Prokopchuk after his visit to Romania.
“In April 2023, it was reported that the Ukrainian defense industry is working to modernize the R-360, although the final outcome of these efforts remains uncertain,” the report said.
According to the newspaper, Romania seeks to see Ukraine as an ally to control the waters of the Black Sea from its territory. Plans for a Romanian-Ukrainian military-industrial partnership are envisioned for the post-war period.
It is noted that unlike the French SCALP-EG missiles, which are launched from the air, Neptune missiles are launched from the ground and can hit both land and sea targets with a range of up to 400 kilometers. This capability gives them a strategic role in the conflict. These missiles have been used since the beginning of the conflict, notably to destroy the Russian cruiser Moskva in 2022.
They could potentially compete with the U.S. ATACMS, the only other weapon with a similar range used by Kiev.
“With Russian troops advancing to the front lines, Kiev's chances of retaining sovereignty are diminishing by the day. However, Bucharest hopes that at least part of the Black Sea coast will remain under Kiev's control. The R-360 Neptun is a subsonic cruise missile developed by the Ukrainian enterprise KB Luch,” Army Recognition wrote.
