Romania has awarded Thales a contract for four mobile radar systems to help its air force direct aircraft during landings and maintain operations from alternative locations.
The deal is worth about 326.5 million Romanian lei ($67.8 million) with deliveries scheduled to begin in 2028 and proceed in phases. The country plans to deploy the systems at four air force locations.
The package includes Thales’ STAR NG primary surveillance radar, RSM NG identification system, and Precision Approach Radar systems.
The systems will allow Romanian air traffic controllers to track aircraft and guide them during approaches and landings, including in poor weather and environments where fixed airbase infrastructure is unavailable or insufficient. They will also transmit real-time information to Romanian and NATO command-and-control networks.
“By choosing our deployable dual-use radars, Romania will be able to rely on the robustness and reliability of our global military air traffic control solutions, and count on our commitment to supporting its efforts to enhance its airspace and its interoperability with NATO,” Thales air traffic and coastal radars vice president Lionel de Castellane said.
Romania Expands Air Defense
The radar contract is part of Romania’s broader effort to improve its ability to detect and respond to aerial threats, particularly along NATO’s eastern flank.
In July, Thales secured an order for 12 GM200 Multi-Mission All-in-One radars under a government-to-government agreement between Romania and France, funded through the European Union’s SAFE program. The French company will also establish a Radar Competence Centre in Romania, with the first radar deliveries expected in 2027.
In June, Bucharest signed the initial phase of a deal worth more than 2 billion euros ($2.3 billion) for Rafael’s SPYDER air defense systems. The agreement covers launchers, interceptors, radars, training equipment, and logistical support.
The country also awarded Rheinmetall a contract for 24 Skyranger 35 mobile air defense systems and seven Skynex systems designed to protect ground forces, fixed sites, and critical infrastructure.
