Romania is to become the first European country to procure Israel’s Iron Dome rocket defense system. The procurement was revealed in an interview that Romanian Minister of National Defense Ionut Mosteanu gave the state television channel TVR. He said that the country would sign a procurement agreement in the coming fall.
Mosteanu said that Romania needs the air defense system developed by Rafael Advanced defense Systems. “These are defensive missile batteries that we don’t have and we need them,” he said.
“When we see pictures of Tel Aviv when the Iranians attack, and see the Iron Dome in action — this is a short-range defense system, and it protects Tel Aviv. It will also protect us, whether it’s airports, military bases or, God forbid, in the event that we have to defend our cities,” said Mosteanu, adding that Romania is expected to increase its military arsenal and strengthen regional cooperation.
The minister added that the new Romanian President, Nicusor Dan, will present “A new security policy that will emphasize partnerships with the EU, the US and Turkey in the Black Sea region.”
Earlier this month, Rafael chairman and former government minister Yuval Steinitz talked to The Jerusalem Post about what he calls Israel’s “underrated triumph”: its air defense systems.
“When people talk about the war [with Iran], they focus on ballistic missiles, which some of them managed to hit Israel,” he says. “But let’s not forget – Iran launched around 1,200 drones and cruise missiles. And only one hit anything significant.”
Iron Dome has an unparalleled interception rate
According to Steinitz, that near-perfect interception rate – 99.9% – is unparalleled globally. “In Ukraine, they’re thrilled with a 40% interception rate. We had a single drone strike a building in Beit She’arim – that’s it. The rest were downed.”
He attributes much of that success to Rafael’s multi-layered systems, including Iron Dome, David’s Sling, and cutting-edge air-to-air missiles like the Python and Derby. “These are not only Israeli systems – they’re the best in the world,” he says with visible pride. “Even our American counterparts admit it behind closed doors. ‘we are the biggest’ they tell me – but you are the best.”