Romanian lawmakers have passed a bill allowing the military to shoot down unauthorized drones over its airspace following Russian drone incursions. Interim President Ilie Bolojan is expected to sign the law, granting forces the authority to destroy, neutralize, or take control of drones violating Romanian territory. As a NATO member, Romania has scrambled F-18 and F-16 fighter jets in response to Russian drone activity near its borders. Interim Senate President Mircea Abrudean stressed that “Romania’s safety is non-negotiable”, highlighting the country’s commitment to national security. Additionally, a separate law was passed to strengthen Romania’s military cooperation with NATO during peacetime. […]
Category: Romania
U.S. Approves Romania’s $84 Million Purchase of Boeing Small Diameter Bombs
Romania has secured U.S. approval for a potential $84 million deal to acquire Boeing GBU-39B Small Diameter Bombs (SDB-I). The Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) announced on February 18 that the purchase could include up to 400 precision-guided munitions and related equipment. Romania’s air force currently operates nearly 30 F-16A/B fighters, enhancing its strike capabilities with these advanced weapons. Additionally, Bucharest confirmed plans in November 2024 to acquire 32 F-35A stealth fighters, further modernizing its fleet. The deal reflects Romania’s ongoing military modernization and strengthened defense ties with the U.S. Original news
NATO Conducts Major Combat Drills in Romania Amid U.S. Policy Uncertainty
NATO continued its largest combat exercises of 2025, Steadfast Dart, in Romania on Wednesday, as concerns grow over the U.S. stance under President Donald Trump. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s push for increased military spending from allies has raised doubts about U.S. security commitments in Europe. The drills involve 10,000 personnel from nine nations, including Romania, Bulgaria, and Greece, under NATO’s new Allied Reaction Force. Romania has taken a prominent role in the alliance, donating a Patriot missile system to Ukraine and opening an F-16 training hub for allied pilots. Adm. Stuart B. Munsch stressed NATO’s adaptation to modern threats, while […]
Army awards Raytheon $946M contract to send Patriot systems to Romania
The U.S. Army has awarded Raytheon a $946 million contract to supply additional Patriot air and missile defense systems to Romania. Announced on December 23, the contract represents Romania’s third order of Patriot systems and is slated for completion by December 31, 2029. The agreement includes fire units equipped with radars, control stations, and missiles, involving collaboration with Romanian defense firms. Raytheon’s senior vice president of Global Patriot, Pete Bata, highlighted that Romania’s investment reflects its dedication to collective security and European stability. This deal reinforces the growing partnership between Romania and the U.S. in advancing regional defense capabilities. Original […]
Romania receives three more F-16 deliveries and recommits to European training
Romania has received three more F-16 jets, bringing its fleet to fifteen, with plans to complete an order of 32 second-hand jets from Norway by 2025. These aircraft will join the 48th Fighter Squadron, enhancing Romania’s national and NATO air defense capabilities. The country reaffirmed its commitment to the European F-16 Training Centre (EFTC) through a Letter of Intent, collaborating with the Netherlands and supported by Lockheed Martin. Romanian Defense Minister Angel Tîlvăr highlighted the training program’s importance for Romanian and Ukrainian pilots, emphasizing its role in strengthening national and allied airspace security. This acquisition and training initiative underscore Romania’s […]
Romania makes formal commitment to acquire 32 F-35As
Romania has finalized a deal to acquire conventional take-off and landing F-35A variants, following U.S. export approval two months ago. The country already operates F-16A fighters, and the new F-35As will integrate seamlessly with its existing fleet. Lockheed Martin’s Mara Motherway highlighted the F-35’s role in enhancing NATO’s next-generation air power capability across Europe. Program General Manager Bridget Lauderdale emphasized that the acquisition strengthens Romania’s national security and deterrence. This purchase marks a significant step in Romania’s defense modernization and its commitment to alliance-based deterrence. Original news
Korean defense firms report strong Q3 earnings on large export deals
Korea’s leading defense firms saw strong revenue and profit growth in the third quarter, driven by significant arms export deals. Combined operating profits for Hanwha Aerospace, Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI), Hyundai Rotem, and LIG Nex1 totaled approximately 753.8 billion won ($546 million) from July to September. Hanwha Aerospace’s profits were boosted by exports of K9 howitzers and Chunmoo rocket launchers to Poland. LIG Nex1 anticipates continued earnings growth after securing a 3.7 trillion-won contract with Iraq for its Cheongung-II missile defense system. These successes underscore Korea’s growing influence in the global defense market. Original news
NATO Scrambles Fighters, Ups AWACS Flights to Protect Romania from Russian Incursions
NATO has increased its air defense efforts on the Eastern Flank in response to airspace violations by drones likely linked to Russia’s war in Ukraine. On October 18, NATO officials emphasized the importance of air and missile defense, particularly following an incursion into Romania’s airspace, which prompted a scramble of fighter jets. The U.S. and NATO allies have enhanced their air policing, deploying additional E-3 Sentry AWACS aircraft to monitor the region. These efforts, directed by NATO Supreme Allied Commander Gen. Christopher Cavoli, are aimed at improving surveillance and readiness against Russian military activities. Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin […]
Romania Selects Otokar’s Cobra II Armored Vehicle In $940 Million Deal
Romania has selected the Turkish Cobra II armored vehicle for its land forces, ordering 1,059 units in a deal valued at around $940 million. The first 278 vehicles will be produced in Turkey by Otokar, with the remaining units built in Romania through local partnerships. Romania’s Ministry of National Defence assigned state-run company Romtehnica to oversee the procurement. This acquisition is part of Romania’s broader efforts to modernize its military, including plans to purchase tracked infantry fighting vehicles, tanks, and self-propelled howitzers. The ongoing war in Ukraine has prompted Romania to strengthen its defense capabilities and revive its domestic defense […]
Hanwha Aerospace’s Europe land arms sales to double by 2027
#analysis Hanwha Aerospace, South Korea’s largest defense company, expects its European land arms revenue to double by 2027, driven by partnerships to produce arms in customers’ home countries. CEO Son Jae-il emphasized that many European nations now prioritize building domestic defense capabilities alongside purchasing arms. Hanwha has secured major deals with Poland and Romania, including joint production clauses, as part of South Korea’s broader defense export strategy, spurred by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The company’s order backlog surged to 30.3 trillion won by mid-2023, with exports exceeding domestic sales for the first time this year. Hanwha aims to become a […]
U.S. approves $920 Million Foreign Military Direct Loan to Romania
The United States has announced a $920 million Foreign Military Financing (FMF) direct loan to Romania to bolster NATO’s Eastern Flank. Romania, a key U.S. partner, is undergoing a significant military modernization program, including purchases of U.S. defense equipment like Abrams tanks and ammunition coproduction. Romania has been a NATO leader, contributing to Black Sea security and assisting Ukraine by transferring a Patriot air defense system and training Ukrainian F-16 pilots. The U.S. is also providing $60 million in FMF grant funding to support the loan, accelerating Romania’s defense modernization. This loan will further enhance Romania’s military capabilities, strengthening NATO’s […]
US clears F-35 sale to Romania, bolstering NATO’s eastern flank
The U.S. State Department approved a $7.2 billion sale of 32 F-35A Joint Strike Fighters to Romania, including F135 engines and a spare engine. This deal would provide Romania with its first two squadrons of F-35s, with plans to purchase 16 more jets for a third squadron. Romania is expected to receive its first F-35s in 2030, potentially making it NATO’s largest F-35 operator on the eastern flank. The sale aims to enhance Romania’s defense capabilities and interoperability with NATO allies, especially in light of Russian aggression in Ukraine. The deal also includes logistics, training, maintenance support, and weapons systems […]