Rafael Signs Record 2 Billion Euro Spyder Air Defense Deal with Romania

Rafael Advanced Defense Systems announced on June 28 that it has signed a strategic framework agreement worth more than 2 billion euros to supply Romania with the Spyder short and medium range air defense system, beating out French giant MBDA and Germany's Diehl in the NATO member's tender. The package includes batteries, launchers, Python 5 and Derby interceptors, advanced radars, training and logistics, with first deliveries due within 36 months. Rafael CEO Yoav Tourgeman called it the largest contract in the company's history, and Israeli industry analysts note it is now the second largest defense export in Israel's history, trailing only Israel Aerospace Industries' 3.5 billion dollar Arrow 3 sale to Germany in 2023. The deal reinforces Israel's position as a top tier supplier to European NATO states unnerved by Russian aggression on Ukraine's border, and deepens a three decade defense partnership between Jerusalem and Bucharest.