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
-
![How geopolitics and new military alliances are disrupting combat aircraft procurement]()
How geopolitics and new military alliances are disrupting combat aircraft procurement
Selection of fighter aircraft by national governments has always been political. As markets and allegiances shift against a background of global realignment, who will be the winners and losers as new entrants compete with established suppliers?
-
![Singapore’s interest in GCAP reflects its long-term approach to air power]()
Singapore’s interest in GCAP reflects its long-term approach to air power
A potential interest in joining GCAP is indicative of Singapore’s long-term and methodical approach to defence procurement and could benefit its local defence industry.
-
![US military tests AI-powered CUAS turret against drone swarms]()
US military tests AI-powered CUAS turret against drone swarms
As the US continues to invest heavily in counter-drone systems, demand for low-cost, mobile and autonomous technologies is on the rise, with Edda designed to align with these emerging requirements.
-
![August crewed air review: KC-390 momentum builds as demand in the tanker market grows]()
August crewed air review: KC-390 momentum builds as demand in the tanker market grows
The KC-390 is building a growing international operator base, but competition in the transport and tanker market is increasingly likely to depend on interoperability, commonality and the strength of supporting ecosystems. Meanwhile, Boeing’s KC-46 and Airbus’s A330 also gained ground in August.
