Romania takes a new step in modernizing its defense capabilities: the Ministry of Defense has signed a framework agreement with the Israeli company Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd for the acquisition of SHORAD-VSHORAD anti-aircraft systems, in a contract worth 10.33 billion lei excluding VAT (over 2 billion euros).
The agreement includes the delivery of 12 anti-aircraft systems, training equipment, and ammunition over a period of 7 years.
The announcement was made on Monday by the Ministry of Defense in a press release.
„The framework agreement provides for the signing of three subsequent contracts, through which six integrated SHORAD-VSHORAD anti-aircraft systems, a training and education system, a simulation system for the verification and evaluation of VSHORAD operators, six SHORAD systems, and six VSHORAD systems, including ammunition, training, and logistical support, will be acquired,” the Ministry of Defense stated.
The value of the acquisition is 10.33 billion lei excluding VAT, approximately 2.038 billion euros excluding VAT.
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The first two VSHORAD systems will be delivered within 3 years from the signing of the first subsequent contract.
The Ministry specifies that the „Integrated SHORAD-VSHORAD Weapon System” equipment program aims to equip the army with advanced weapon systems designed to protect against aerial threats, including drones and cruise missiles.
SHORAD-VSHORAD systems represent an optimal combination of mobility, efficiency, and integration into modern defense networks, being compatible with NATO requirements.
The Ministry of National Defense (MApN) notes that the acquisition, for which prior approval was obtained from the Romanian Parliament in accordance with specific legislation, was competitively conducted (restricted tender), including the condition of international procurement with the obligation of integration into the national defense industry through technological and industrial cooperation.
The procedure was published in SEAP and JOUE (Official Journal of the European Union) in November 2023.
After communicating the procedure’s results to the participants and the legal waiting period for signing the framework agreement, in accordance with art. 59 of Law 101/2016, the signing procedures with the designated winning economic operator, namely Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd, were initiated.