Romania Signs €61M Thales Contract for Four Mobile Military Airfield Radar Systems

Romania's Ministry of National Defence has signed a contract worth approximately €61 million with French defense technology group Thales for four deployable radar systems designed to support military and civilian air traffic surveillance, aircraft approaches and landings.

The agreement, signed on October 27, 2026, through Romania's General Directorate for Armaments, involves Thales Romania SRL and Thales LAS France SAS. The contract is valued at 326.5 million Romanian lei, excluding VAT, with deliveries scheduled to begin in 2028 and continue through 2030.

The systems will be deployed to four Romanian Air Force locations, strengthening the country's ability to conduct flight operations from alternative sites without relying entirely on fixed airbase infrastructure.

Thales to Supply STAR NG and Precision Approach Radars

The contract covers four deployable Ground Controlled Approach (GCA) radar systems incorporating Thales' STAR NG primary surveillance radar and RSM NG/IFF secondary surveillance technology.

STAR NG is an S-band radar designed for approach control, offering coverage of up to 60 nautical miles, approximately 111 kilometers. It supports aircraft tracking around military airfields and civilian airports.

The RSM NG/IFF system combines NATO Mode 5 military identification, EUROCONTROL Mode S and ADS-B surveillance capabilities, allowing operators to identify aircraft using both military and civilian aviation standards.

Thales will also install four Precision Approach Radars (PAR), providing air traffic controllers with real-time information on aircraft positions relative to runway centerlines and descent paths.

These capabilities are particularly important during adverse weather, reduced visibility or operations conducted in challenging electromagnetic environments.

The systems will transmit surveillance data to Romanian and NATO air command-and-control networks, improving interoperability during national and allied operations.

Romanian Industry to Participate in Integration and Support

The procurement also strengthens industrial cooperation between Romania and France.

According to the Romanian Ministry of National Defence, Thales Romania specialists will work alongside local partners on installation, system integration and long-term operational support.

The involvement of Romanian engineering teams is expected to support the development of domestic technical expertise and create opportunities for technology and knowledge transfer.

Thales already maintains a significant engineering presence in Romania, contributing to defense electronics, software development and air traffic management technologies.

The new contract expands the company's role in Romania's military aviation infrastructure while providing further opportunities for specialized engineering and maintenance activities.

Separate from Romania's €247M GM200 Radar Procurement

The latest agreement follows another major Romanian radar acquisition from Thales earlier this year.

As AdriaDefense reported on October 23, Romania previously ordered 12 Ground Master 200 Multi-Mission All-in-one radars under a contract valued at approximately €247 million.

Those systems are designed primarily for airspace surveillance and the detection of aerial threats, including aircraft, missiles and drones.

The newly contracted GCA systems serve a different operational purpose, supporting the identification, tracking and safe recovery of aircraft at military airfields.

Together, the two programs represent approximately €308 million in Romanian radar contracts awarded to Thales in 2026, combining broader air surveillance capabilities with deployable air traffic control infrastructure.

The mobile nature of the latest systems is particularly relevant to operational resilience. By enabling aircraft to operate from alternative locations, Romania can reduce its dependence on permanent airbase infrastructure.

For Thales, the contract reinforces its position as a major supplier of radar and military air traffic management technologies in Central and Eastern Europe, while further integrating Romanian engineering expertise into the group's European defense activities.

Sources: Romanian Ministry of National Defence, October 27, 2026; Thales contract announcement, October 27, 2026.