A BIRN investigation has uncovered instability in Romania’s military procurement, with millions of euros in contracts awarded to questionable companies since 2022. Many of these firms were created just before tenders, had little experience, or were linked to corruption schemes.
For instance, the 53rd Commando Battalion ‘Smaranda Brescu’ awarded €370,000 in contracts to Area Best Construct SRL, a company founded in 2022 with just four employees and annual revenues of €83,000. Overpriced purchases included beds at €294 each, well above market rates.
Similar cases emerged in Sibiu, where a €600,000 contract went to Ghallard SYS SRL, founded 15 months before the tender, and in Olt County, where Helen M Construct SRL won a 179,000 lei contract just three months after its creation in July 2023. Some of these firms have ties to tax evasion and corruption. Clemans SRL, which secured 21 military contracts, is under investigation for unpaid taxes amounting to nearly €500,000.
Despite the Defence Ministry announcing audits in 2022, no concrete results have been made public.
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