Romania Signs €625M Deal for French Mistral Air-Defense Systems

Romania has signed a €625.59 million contract with France for Mistral man-portable air-defence systems, expanding its short-range and very-short-range air-defence capabilities amid continued drone incidents near the border with Ukraine.

The agreement, concluded on November 25 between the defence ministries of both countries through their armaments directorates, includes 231 Mistral MANPAD systems, 934 missiles, training services, training ammunition, documentation, a simulator and logistical support. The contract does not specify delivery dates.

The acquisition falls under the “European Joint Acquisition of Mistral System” initiative led by France, with Romania participating alongside Belgium, Cyprus, Estonia and Hungary. The program is part of the European Defence Industry Investment Plan developed under the SAFE Regulation.

Romania’s parliament approved the Mistral purchase in June 2022. All three branches of the Romanian Armed Forces and the Special Operations Forces will receive the systems.

Romania, an EU and NATO member, has faced repeated drone incursions and debris falling on its territory since Russia began striking Ukrainian Danube ports. The two countries share a 650-km border.

The country’s existing air-defence network includes F-16 fighter jets, Patriot systems, HIMARS launchers, South Korean Chiron missiles and German Gepard guns. Romania is also preparing to deploy the U.S.-supplied Merops anti-drone system and plans to work with Ukraine on drone production under a new EU defence funding mechanism.