Romania has selected Israel’s Rafael Advanced Defense Systems for a $2.2 billion air defense deal, marking the second-largest defense export in Israel’s history, according to the Press Service of Israel (TPS-IL).
Romania’s Defense Ministry announced the decision on Monday, confirming Rafael as the winner of a tender to supply short- and ultra-short-range air defense systems.
“The decision has been made,” the ministry stated, signaling Rafael’s system — widely believed to be the SPYDER — is set to join Romania’s arsenal. A formal signing of the agreement remains to be scheduled.
SPYDER, already in use by nations such as the Czech Republic and Morocco, offers multi-layered air defense capabilities. It intercepts aerial threats including drones, helicopters, and short-range ballistic missiles using Rafael’s Python and Derby missile families.
The procurement, first approved by Romania’s parliament in 2020 and launched in 2023, rounds out the country’s broader air defense upgrade, complementing shoulder-launched missiles and long-range platforms.
This announcement follows Romania’s recent, undisclosed purchase of 41 Iron Dome launchers, signaling deepening defense ties between Jerusalem and Bucharest.
The $3.5 billion sale of the Arrow 3 system to Germany in 2023 is the largest defense deal in Israeli history. In June, the Israeli Defense Ministry said preparations were being made with Germany to deliver the system.
Israel set a new all-time record for defense exports in 2024, with sales reaching $14.795 billion, according to Defense Ministry figures released in June. This marks a 13% increase over the previous year and the fourth consecutive year the record has been broken.
More than half of the contracts signed in 2024 exceeded $100 million in value, and over half of the deals — 54% — were with European countries. Demand for Israeli military technology surged as as European countries increased their defense budgets in response to Russia’s war in Ukraine. Despite 20 months of war, Israeli defense firms maintained continuous production for both the Israel Defense Forces and international clients.
