Romania is keen to acquire the Iron Dome missile defense system from Israel, Haaretz reported, quoting sources familiar with Romanian Defense Minister Vasile Dîncu’s visit to Israel last week. The daily said that this would make Romania the first EU country to buy the system.
Other European countries such as Finland, Slovakia and the Czech Republic have only purchased the system’s radar component.
Romania’s Ministry of Defence told News.ro that the „SHORAD/VSHORAD integrated weapons system” program is currently being evaluated, and no decision regarding the purchase has been taken yet. HORAD/VSHORAD are the rockets used by the Iron Dome system.
The Iron Dome system is designed to intercept and destroy short-range rockets and artillery shells fired from distances of 4 kilometers to 70 kilometers, prepared with threats specific to Israel in mind. But Israel has failed to market the system, selling only two to the US Army for USD 373 mln, according to the Israeli daily Haaretz. The US is not thought to be interested in more.
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