Romania’s Ministry of National Defence has signed a framework agreement with Israel’s Rafael Advanced Defense Systems to procure short-range and very-short-range air defense systems. The deal, valued at approximately $2.3 billion, was finalized on Friday.
The agreement will cover six integrated systems, training, ammunition and logistical support to be executed over seven years. Delivery of the first two VSHORAD systems is expected within three years of the contract’s signing.
The air defense platforms will reportedly feature Rafael’s SPYDER system with Python‑5 and Derby interceptors. It is expected to replace Romania’s Hawk launchers and complement its existing Patriot and Aegis systems at the Deveselu base . The deal also marks Romania’s largest-ever air defense procurement and comes amid regional tensions and pressure from NATO allies to increase defense spending.
The contract with Rafael is the latest in Romania’s efforts to boost its multilayered air defense architecture.
Last week, Defence Minister Ionuț Moșteanu confirmed plans to acquire Israel’s Iron Dome air and missile defense system, becoming the first European country to do so. Earlier, Northrop Grumman signed a memorandum of understanding with Romania’s state-owned ROMARM to co-produce the Ground/Air Task-Oriented Radar, or G/ATOR, mobile radar system for the Romanian Air Force.
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