Romania is set to procure the Iron Dome air and missile defense system, becoming the first European country to adopt the Israeli-developed weapon.
Bucharest’s Defense Minister Ionuț Moșteanu confirmed the development in an interview with state broadcaster TVR, stating that the Balkan state is scheduled to sign the acquisition deal in the autumn.
Manufactured by Tel Aviv government-owned defense contractor Rafael, Iron Dome is a short/very-short-range air defense (SHORAD-VSHORAD) platform comprising Elta multi-mission radar, Tamir interceptor missiles, and mPrest command and control software.
The weapon system can track and intercept aircraft, drones, and warheads at ranges of up to 70 kilometers (43 miles) and altitudes of up to 10,000 meters (32,800 feet).
“These are defensive missile batteries that we don’t have, and we need them,” Moșteanu stated.
“If I were to give an example, when we see images from Tel Aviv when the Iranians attack and we see the Iron Dome, that is SHORAD-VSHORAD, and it protects Tel Aviv. It will protect us as well. Whether it’s airports, military bases, or, God forbid, we need to defend our cities.”
Boosting Arsenal, Regional Cooperation
In the interview, Moșteanu said that Romania’s military acquisitions for fiscal 2025 will include SHORAD missiles and corvettes to reinforce its armed forces’ inventory.
The minister also noted that Romanian President Nicușor Dan, who recently took office, will outline a new defense policy with emphasis on EU, US, and Turkish partnerships in the Black Sea region.
“There is no Black Sea strategy without Turkey. It is the strongest. We will have to take these steps, these discussions, and it will be in the national defense strategy, there will be a Black Sea strategy,” he explained.
