Romania boosts Air defense with H215M helicopters, Marte ER missiles

Romania is taking significant steps to bolster its air defense capabilities by introducing two H215M helicopters, in line with multi-year agreements signed with Airbus back in 2017. Customized to meet local requirements, these helicopters will equip Romania’s naval forces with Marte ER anti-ship missiles, marking a significant upgrade.

The integration of Marte ER missiles onto the H215M platform is a collaborative effort between MBDA and IAR Brasov, aimed at enhancing Romania’s anti-surface warfare capabilities. This strategic move allows the Romanian Naval Forces to conduct rotary-based missions effectively, especially in challenging maritime environments.

The Marte ER missile system is renowned for its ability to operate in all weather conditions and engage targets at ranges exceeding 100 kilometers. Its flexible mission profiles, which include automatic or manual waypoints, salvo firing, and land-attack capabilities, provide Romania with a variety of options for maritime defense operations.

This initiative aligns with Romania’s substantial increase in defense spending post-2023, reflecting a strong commitment to fortify regional air defense capabilities in response to evolving security challenges. Romania intends to increase its defense budget to 2.5% of GDP in 2023, a significant rise from previous years, demonstrating a proactive approach to national defense.

In a bid to strengthen its air defense systems, Romania has ramped up investments in recent years. The country signed a $321 million contract with Baykar in 2023 for TB2 unmanned aerial vehicles, marking a significant step towards enhancing its air defense capabilities. This decision followed the Romanian Ministry of National Defense’s announcement in August regarding their plan to procure three TB2 drone packages. These drones, designated for the Land Forces, include a total of 18 aerial platforms equipped with advanced target engagement capabilities.

Additionally, Romania is exploring the possibility of modernizing its air force with F-35s, as mentioned earlier this month. These developments reflect Romania’s commitment to bolstering its defense infrastructure and staying abreast of modern technological advancements in the field of air defense.