Romania to buy Israeli anti-aircraft systems for $2.3 billion

Romania has signed a framework agreement to buy Israeli-made Shorad-Vshorad anti-aircraft systems for more than 2 billion euros ($2.3 billion), the Romanian defence ministry said on Monday.

Under pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump, Romania and other European countries have been looking to increase their defence spending since Russia's full-scale invasion of neighbouring Ukraine in 2022.

The European Union and NATO member state, which shares a 650 km (400 mile) border with Ukraine, has had Russian drone fragments fall onto its territory repeatedly over the past two years as Moscow attacks Ukrainian port infrastructure.

The framework agreement with the Israeli company Rafael Advanced Defense Systems - maker with U.S. backing of Israel’s Iron Dome defence system - provides for the signing of three further contracts, through which six integrated anti-aircraft systems will be acquired.

The contracts will also cover training, ammunition and logistical support.

The framework agreement will run for seven years, with the first two Vshorad systems to be delivered within three years of the signing of the first of the three further contracts, the ministry said.

($1 = 0.8564 euros)