Romania is taking a major step to beef up its national security with the acquisition of Israel’s Iron Dome air defense system from Tel Aviv.
Defense Minister Ionuț Moșteanu confirmed the news during a televised interview on the national broadcaster TVR on Monday.
Romania hopes to complete the Iron Dome contract in the fall of 2025 when President Nicusor Dan will unveil a new defense strategy.
“We need these defensive missile batteries, but we don’t have them,” Moşteanu said. He explained that the same technology that protects Tel Aviv will now be used to protect Romania. He said the new system will help defend not just the military, but also major cities in case of any threat.
The Iron Dome deal is part of a larger plan by the Romanian government to beef up military strength at a time when many Romanians are worried about security with Russia’s full-scale invasion of neighboring Ukraine well into its third year.
NATO member Romania is on the eastern flank of the alliance and is strategic for European and American security. Moşteanu said there cannot be a strategy for the Black Sea without including Turkey, which is the strongest country in the region.
Romania currently spends nearly 30% of the defense budget on military purchases, Moşteanu said, adding that Bucharest will also purchase naval corvettes, a small fast warship, to protect coastal areas and short-range missiles in addition to the Iron Dome.
The formal name of Iron Dome system SHORAD-VSHORAD. They are referred to as Very Short-Range Air Defense and Short-Range Air Defense and protect military sites, cities, and airports against incoming missile attacks.
Israel built the Iron Dome, which identifies and eliminates short-range rockets and missiles before they can strike military sites or civilian populations. The Israeli military has already used this system in actual combat to defend places like Tel Aviv against enemy attacks.
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