Romania breaks NATO norms, turns to Israel for missile shield

DDM News

Romania is set to become the first European country to acquire Israel’s world-renowned Iron Dome missile defense system, a groundbreaking move in the continent’s military procurement history.

Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) gathered that this was confirmed by Romania’s Minister of National Defense, Ionut Mosteanu, during an exclusive interview with the national broadcaster, TVR.

He disclosed that the Romanian government plans to sign a formal purchase agreement with Israel by the fall of 2025.

The acquisition is aimed at strengthening Romania’s air defense capabilities amid growing regional tensions, especially in light of the ongoing war in neighboring Ukraine.

According to Minister Mosteanu, Romania currently lacks a robust short-range missile defense system, a gap that the Iron Dome is expected to fill.

“These are defensive missile batteries that we don’t have, and we need them,” he stated.

The Iron Dome, developed jointly by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems and Israel Aerospace Industries, is a mobile all-weather air defense system designed to intercept and destroy short-range rockets, artillery shells, and mortars.

It is one of the most effective missile interception systems globally, with a success rate of over 90% in operational conditions.

Since its deployment in 2011, the Iron Dome has been a critical component of Israel’s multi-layered air defense strategy, particularly effective in intercepting rockets fired from the Gaza Strip by militant groups.

Until now, the United States has been the primary foreign operator of the Iron Dome system, having integrated it into its own defense frameworks.

Romania’s decision marks the first time the system will be used within the European Union, reflecting the country’s shift toward modern, NATO-compliant defense technologies.

The move also highlights the deepening military cooperation between Romania and Israel, which has expanded in recent years through the acquisition of other Israeli defense technologies, including the SPYDER surface-to-air missile system.

Romania has intensified its military modernization programs since the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022, which raised alarm across Eastern Europe and prompted several NATO members to invest heavily in defense.

With over 90% of its original forest cover lost and mounting pressure to enhance national resilience, Romania’s government has adopted a broader security strategy that includes economic and environmental initiatives, as well as military upgrades.

Defense analysts see the Iron Dome deal as a strategic milestone, signaling Romania’s determination to strengthen its national defense posture while aligning more closely with key international partners such as Israel and the United States.

The official signing and deployment are expected to take place before the end of 2025, after which integration and training processes will begin to incorporate the Iron Dome system into Romania’s defense architecture.

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