Romania is set to become the first country to buy Israel’s Iron Dome rocket defence system, after signing a deal on Thursday.
Romania is the first country to buy Israel’s Iron Dome short-range rocket interception system after the state-owned company Romaero signed a deal on Thursday with Israel’s Rafael Advanced Systems.
The deal signed in Bucharest was disclosed by the Israeli manufacturer in a press release to the Israeli media. The Romanian buyer did not release any information.
According to the Israeli manufacturer, the deal refers to air defence systems, including the Iron Dome and its naval version. Romania will also acquire Samson remote-controlled weapons stations and Spike anti-tank missiles.
The Israeli company said the weapons and equipment will all be produced in Romania by Romaero; the Israeli company said it will allow transfer of technology and know-how.
Neither company disclosed the cost of the agreement.
Rafael Advanced Systems explained in the press release that it had already transferred know-how and production of components to various countries, including Canada, the US and Poland, but that this was the first time it was exporting the Iron Dome.
The Israeli company was present with a stand at the Bucharest Black Sea Defence and Aerospace exhibition that closes Friday.
Iron Dome is the world’s only dual mission counter rocket, artillery and mortar, C-RAM, and Very Short Range Air Defence, VSHORAD, system.
According to the manufacturer, it is designed for quick detection, discrimination and interception of asymmetric threats such as short-range rockets, mortars, and artillery shells, and also serves as a VSHORAD Missile System against traditional Air Defence targets, such as aircraft or helicopters.
The Israelis have used the system since 2011 to intercept rockets fired from Gaza as well as South Lebanon. Since 2017, the system has been operational on ships.
Romania has been on a military shopping spree for a year-and-a-half, after the country increased defence spending to 2 per cent of GDP in line with NATO targets.
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