VSHORAD acquisition, air defense systems - 231 Mistral 3 for Romania with 934 missiles
Romania took a decisive step on Tuesday, November 25, to fill a critical gap in its air defense: signing the contract for the MISTRAL MANPAD portable systems. An investment of 625 million euros that finally aligns us with the harsh realities of the neighboring front.
The contract signed in Bucharest is impressive in scope, including 231 launch systems and a massive stock of 934 Mistral 3 missiles. The beneficiaries are not only the ground troops, but all three categories of forces of the Romanian Army, including the Special Operations Forces (SOF).
The acquisition is carried out under the umbrella of the "European Joint Acquisition of Mistral System" initiative, coordinated by France, together with partners such as Belgium, Cyprus, Estonia and Hungary.
This common approach has a double advantage: it reduces costs through economies of scale and ensures interoperability between allies.
The war in Ukraine has demonstrated that very short-range air defense (VSHORAD) must be ubiquitous - you cannot defend an armored column, a ship in port or a command post with Patriot-type strategic systems alone, you need a rapid reaction, "on the carrier".
