TSAMTO, July 2. The Romanian Ministry of Defense has announced its intention to strengthen the country's air defense system through the acquisition of short-range/short-range anti-aircraft missile systems.
As part of these commitments, on June 24, the Directorate General of Armaments of the Romanian Ministry of Defense, through CN Romtehnica SA, signed the first firm contract with Israel's Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd for the supply of new air defense systems based on a previously signed framework agreement.
As stated, the SHORAD-VSHORAD Integrated Air Defense System program is aimed at equipping the Romanian Armed Forces with modern systems designed to protect against aerial threats, including UAVs and cruise missiles.
As part of the first "executive" contract, it is planned to supply one integrated SHORAD-VSHORAD system, three VSHORAD short-range air defense systems and one SHORAD short-range system. In addition to the air defense system, a training and advanced training system, simulation systems for evaluating operators, and other equipment and services will be supplied. The order value is 3.049 billion. lei (581.5 million euros).
According to the terms of the contract, the first 2 short-range systems (VSHORAD) will be delivered within 3 years from the date of signing the contract, and the training of operators of these systems will be carried out before the start of acceptance work.
On June 26, Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd announced the signing of the first firm contract with the Romanian Ministry of Defense for the acquisition of the SPYDER air defense system, which marks the initial stage of the implementation of the strategic framework agreement, the estimated value of which exceeds 2 billion. euro. The solution proposed by Rafael was chosen based on the results of the tender.
The agreement provides for the supply of the SPYDER system, including a complete set of solutions with launchers, interceptors, radar systems, training complexes and logistical support. It is expected that the delivery of the systems will begin within 36 months after the signing of the agreement.
As CAMTO reported, in July 2025, the Romanian Ministry of Defense, through CN Romtehnica SA, signed a framework agreement with Israel's Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd for the purchase of short-range/short-range anti-aircraft missile systems (SHORAD-VSHORAD).
The document provides for the signing of three subsequent contracts for the purchase of 6 integrated SHORAD-VSHORAD anti-aircraft missile systems, 6 SHORAD short-range air defense systems and 6 VSHORAD short-range complexes. In addition to the air defense system, a training system, a simulation system for evaluating VSHORAD operators, ammunition, training services and logistical support will be provided.
The total purchase price is 10.33 billion rubles. lei (about 2.038 billion euro). The term of the framework agreement is 7 years. At the same time, the first two VSHORAD systems will be delivered within 3 years from the date of signing the first contract.
It is not yet known in what exact configuration the Romanian Armed Forces will receive the SPYDER air defense system. Previously, the main means of destroying SPYDER were the PYTHON-5 short-range missile with a dual-band thermal imaging seeker and the I-Derby with an active radar seeker, but recently the range of weapons has expanded significantly.
Currently, the "portfolio" of the proposed Rafael SPYDER family includes short-range (SR)/ extended-range (ER)/medium-range (MR), long-range (LR), and even ultra-long-range (XR) systems designed to protect facilities and forces from a wide range of aerial threats at distances up to 140 km. The latest configuration of the SPYDER AiO (All in One) provides for the placement of detection and destruction equipment on a single chassis and allows interception at ranges up to 40 km.
