From May 13 to 15 this year, the BSDA 2026 defense industry trade fair (Black Sea Defense, Aerospace and Security) is being held in Bucharest. Uzina Mecanică București (UMB) of Măgurele, part of the state-owned defense group ROMARM, presented a prototype of the modernized TR-85M1R tank under a package called Revitalizat Sisteme Modernizate (System Modernization Revitalization).
Photos: Jakub Link-Lenczowski, MILMAG
The modernization partners include Romanian and German companies, as well as institutes: Stimpex S.A., Electro Optic Systems s.R.L., Pro Optica S.A., IOR S.A., Kidde Deugra Brandschutzsysteme GmbH, Interactive Systems & Business Consulting s.R.L., Webasto Fahrzeugtechnik GmbH, C.E. Niehoff & Co, the “Ferdinand I” Military Technical Academy, the National Research and Development Institute for Gas Turbines – COMOTI, and Fermit S.A.
The most striking feature is the cage-type counter-drone protection, reflecting lessons learned from the Russo-Ukrainian War and the Gaza Strip. In addition, the vehicle has been fitted with a communications package from U.S. company L3Harris Technologies, an LWS-7A SADLAM laser warning system, a CET Ciclop M-1 fire-control system, a new U.S.A.-R electric turret stabilization drive, new commander’s and gunner’s observation devices, a new power generator, a heater, a new braking system, a new Deugra fire-suppression system, an onboard electrical system diagnostic system, and an improved muzzle brake with a gas and hydraulic recoil mechanism. The vehicle also received new tracks.
The Romanian Land Forces (Forțele Terestre Române) currently operate 202 tanks in line service, including 44 TR-580s, 104 TR-85s, and 54 TR-85M1 Bizon tanks (Romanian: Bisonul), while the total number exceeds 300 when stored vehicles are included. These are locally developed designs created through deep modernization based on the Soviet T-55AM/T-55AM2. As a result, this branch of the armed forces is heavily outdated in terms of the operational requirements of the modern battlefield. Therefore, in 2024, a decision was made to modernize 108 TR-85/M1 vehicles to the TR-85M1R standard, in two batches of 54 vehicles each.
At the same time, 54 M1A2SEPv3 Abrams tanks were ordered, and there are plans to purchase around 300 more, although the type has not yet been selected. The K2 Black Panther is mentioned among the favorites.