The Romanian Ministry of National Defense (MApN), via its state-owned defense procurement agency Romtehnica, has awarded a contract to Spanish manufacturer Uro Vehículos Especiales S.A. (UROVESA) for the supply of 24 VAMTAC ST5 BN2 armored tactical vehicles. The contract, awarded through a negotiated procedure without prior tender notice, ensures the delivery of the vehicles to Military Unit 01145 in Roman, Neamț County, which operates under the 3rd Logistics Base “Zargidava” of the Romanian Armed Forces.
The VAMTAC, short for Vehículo de Alta Movilidad Táctico, is Spain’s answer to the U.S. Humvee wheeled light tactical vehicle, developed by the Spanish Company UROVESA since the early 1990s. It is designed to operate across extreme terrains and harsh environments. Featuring a 4×4 configuration with independent suspension and a robust ladder chassis, the VAMTAC has become a mainstay in the Spanish Armed Forces and has been exported to over 25 countries in various roles including troop transport, reconnaissance, medevac, and special operations.
The ST5 is the latest and most advanced generation of the VAMTAC family. The BN2 variant ordered by Romania features integrated ballistic and mine protection, offering NATO STANAG Level 1 to Level 2 protection levels, depending on configuration. Equipped with a 188 hp diesel engine from Steyr, the ST5 BN2 reaches speeds of 135 km/h and offers a range of over 600 kilometers. It can transport up to four fully equipped soldiers and supports mission-specific upgrades such as remote weapon stations, communication suites, or medical evacuation modules.