Romania is set to bolster its maritime defenses by acquiring the TCG Akhisar, a nearly new Hisar-class offshore patrol vessel from Turkey, at an estimated cost of €223 million ($260 million). This procurement is designed to fortify security around the Neptune Deep Project—an ambitious offshore gas operation in the Black Sea anticipated to transform Romania into the EU’s top gas producer. An additional €42 million ($49 million) will be allocated to equip the vessel for full operational readiness, bringing the total investment to €265 million before value-added tax.
Before the deal proceeds, parliamentary approval is necessary, marking a crucial step for the nation’s energy and defense strategies. The ship is expected to arrive within six months, after which it will be outfitted domestically with advanced weaponry including Western torpedoes and anti-ship missiles, such as the Naval Strike Missile, enhancing its combat capability. This move comes as Romanian companies OMV Petrom and Romgaz press forward with Neptune Deep, whose expected output could significantly elevate the country’s standing in Europe’s energy landscape. The acquisition highlights Romania’s determination to safeguard its maritime infrastructure and economic interests in an increasingly contested Black Sea environment.
