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# Romania to Acquire French Mistral Air Defense Systems in €626M Deal
- URL: https://www.adriadefense.com/romania-to-acquire-french-mistral-air-defense-systems-in-eu626m-deal/
- Published: 2025-11-28T07:00:11.000Z
- Updated: 2025-11-28T07:00:10.000Z
- Description: Romania has signed a €626 million deal with France to purchase 231 Mistral air-defense systems and 934 missiles, strengthening its short-range defense layer as drone and missile threats increase near its border with Ukraine.
- Author: AdriaDefense Desk
- Tags: Romania, Defense industry Romania, Industry, France, #MANPADS, #Mistral man-portable air defense systems, NATO, Ukraine, #Merops anti-drone systems, Counter-UAS

Romania has signed a contract with France to purchase Mistral man-portable air defense systems (MANPADS) worth more than €626 million, the Ministry of Defense confirmed on Tuesday. The order forms part of a joint EU procurement scheme aimed at bolstering short-range air defense capabilities across Europe.

The deal, concluded between Romania’s Defense Ministry and France’s Ministry of Armed Forces, covers **231 Mistral launch units and 934 missiles**, along with **training packages, simulators, and logistical support**. The manufacturer, MBDA, will supply the equipment. Delivery timelines were not disclosed.

Romania’s parliament had authorized the purchase in 2022 as Bucharest accelerated its air-defense modernization strategy amid increasing Russian drone and missile activity near its territory.

### Strategic Context

Romania, a NATO and EU member, shares a **650-kilometer land border with Ukraine**. Since Russia began striking Ukraine’s Danube port infrastructure, Romania has experienced repeated violations of its airspace and multiple incidents of drone debris falling on Romanian territory.

Romania’s layered air-defense posture currently includes **F-16 fighter jets**, **Patriot batteries**, **HIMARS**, **Chiron missiles**, and German-built **Gepard guns**. In parallel, Romania aims to deepen cooperation with Ukraine on drone manufacturing through emerging EU defense-industrial frameworks.

Separately, Romania is nearing operational deployment of **U.S.-supplied Merops anti-drone systems**, which are expected to enhance counter-UAS coverage along the eastern flank.