In a defence sector historically dominated by state-owned giants such as Romarm and Uzina Mecanică Cugir, Phoenix MS Bistrița has rapidly emerged as a significant private player, reshaping Romania’s arms manufacturing landscape.
Official data from 2024 place Phoenix MS among the top five arms and ammunition exporters in the country—a remarkable achievement for a company less than a decade old, which recorded a 473% turnover increase in just one year.
Strategic Importance Amid Regional Conflict
Phoenix MS’s rise comes at a critical moment for Romania, which shares a border with Ukraine, a country enduring a prolonged and devastating war. The conflict has heightened NATO’s focus on strengthening defence capabilities along its eastern flank, including Romania’s military readiness. As tensions persist, the government and its allies have prioritised boosting domestic defence production capacity to reduce reliance on external suppliers and ensure the rapid availability of critical ammunition.
From Small Calibre Ammunition to Heavy Artillery
Initially pioneering as the first private Romanian company authorised to produce small-calibre ammunition (9×19 mm), Phoenix MS has ambitiously expanded its scope. In 2025, the company announced a strategic partnership with international defence integrator DIAGRAM8 to establish a new industrial facility in Bistrița focused on loading and finishing artillery ammunition in calibres of 120 mm, 122 mm, 152 mm, and 155 mm.
This investment will double Phoenix MS’s production capacity and diversify its product portfolio, reinforcing Romania’s position on the European map of ammunition manufacturers at a time when demand for both conventional and modern ammunition in the region is at record levels.
This investment represents a significant step for Romania’s industrial autonomy. The new line will serve the calibres critical for the modern artillery doctrine.
Ștefan Părău, CEO of Phoenix MS Bistrița
His comments underscore the urgency of developing domestic capabilities aligned with NATO’s modernisation strategy.
Massimiliano Nicoletti, CEO of DIAGRAM8, emphasised the broader security implications:
The partnership with Phoenix MS Bistrița demonstrates that local expertise and international know-how can together build industrial capacities of strategic importance for regional security.
Massimiliano Nicoletti, CEO of DIAGRAM8
Broader Implications for NATO and Regional Security
Romania’s strategic position as a NATO member, bordering war-torn Ukraine, makes its defence industry a vital regional priority. The conflict has exposed vulnerabilities in supply chains and underscored the need for sovereign production capabilities among alliance members. Phoenix MS’s expansion exemplifies how private enterprise, supported by international partnerships, can contribute to NATO’s collective defence posture.
A New Industrial Hub in Bistrița
Beyond its commercial success, Phoenix MS is setting a precedent for the Romanian defence industry, proving that private capital can play a pivotal role in national security. Its growing industrial hub in Bistrița is not only a key supplier of ammunition but also a symbol of resilience and strategic foresight amid ongoing regional challenges.
