Elbit awarded contracts to refit Romanian helicopters, jet trainers
The IAR 99 is being upgraded to support Romanian pilots transitioning to the F-16. (Photo: Avioane Craiova)
Elbit will supply onboard mission equipment and payloads for Romania's IAR 330 Puma helicopter fleets, as well as new avionics to upgrade the country's IAR 99 trainer jets.
Elbit Systems has been awarded four contracts to supply Romania with aircraft upgrades and EW suites, EO/IR payloads and night vision systems for IAR 330 Puma helicopters.
Elbit will integrate its Spectro XR EO payload onto Romanian Navy IAR 330s following a previous upgrade of the the aircraft. Work will be performed over the coming year. Spectro XR is designed for day and night extended-range all-weather surveillance and provides target scanning capabilities for situational awareness.
Under the second contract, Elbit is supplying an EW suite comprising a radar warning receiver, laser warner, IR missile warner and countermeasure dispenser to a Romanian partner for integration on board six Pumas with an option for six more. This is a follow-on order to EW suite installation work on other Romanan platforms and will be delivered over three years.
The third contract involves fitting helmet display systems, Spectro XR and a mission package including smart displays, digital maps and reconnaissance systems plus BrightNite night vision systems on Romanian Air Force IAR 330 SAR helicopters.
Shephard Defence Insight lists 57 Puma helicopters as being in service with Romanian forces.
Finally, Elbit will supply live training embedded virtual avionics, monitors, overhead display, navigation and weapons activation systems to Avioane Craiova which is upgrading the Romanian Air Force's IAR 99 advanced trainer aircraft.
The upgrade will support transition of Romanian pilots to fighter aircraft including F-16s and will be carried out over a period of four years.
Elbit also recently received a contract to supply weapon systems for Romania's Piranha V armoured vehicle programme.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Air Warfare
-
![US combat drone plan rushes forward with first flight and selection in FY2026]()
US combat drone plan rushes forward with first flight and selection in FY2026
The US Department of Defence (DoD) previously selected Anduril Industries and General Atomics to develop production-representative prototypes under the Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) programme. A competitive Increment 1 production decision is expected in FY2026.
-
![How can you own the sky?]()
How can you own the sky?
With an unparalleled range of solutions, RTX is equipping pilots with a distinct advantage, before the mission even begins.
-
![DSEI 2025: Saab unveils new CUAS missile solution to defeat UAS swarms]()
DSEI 2025: Saab unveils new CUAS missile solution to defeat UAS swarms
The Nimbrix missile has been developed and tested over the last year and is Saab’s latest cost-effective answer to help armed forces counteract escalating numbers of uncrewed aerial threats on the battlefield.
-
![US approves possible C-17 Globemaster III sustainment support sale to UK]()
US approves possible C-17 Globemaster III sustainment support sale to UK
The potential sustainment contract will help support the Royal Air Force (RAF) fleet, amid renewed interest from countries in the heavy-lift strategic aircraft.
-
![Will drone motherships form part of tomorrow’s warfare?]()
Will drone motherships form part of tomorrow’s warfare?
While motherships offer multiple operational advantages, the changes in the character of warfare may bring new tactics to the battlefield, reducing their role.
