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
-
![What lessons could Europe learn from air power use in Ukraine?]()
What lessons could Europe learn from air power use in Ukraine?
The use of air power by both sides in the ongoing conflict has been extensively focused on, influencing policy and procurement around the world. But are the lessons from the front line universally applicable, or should other nations be planning for very different scenarios?
-
![Paraguayan Air Force receives four A-29 Super Tucano aircraft]()
Paraguayan Air Force receives four A-29 Super Tucano aircraft
Six Super Tucano aircraft were ordered in July 2024, with Paraguay the fifth South American country to add the aircraft to modernise its fleet.
-
![Baykar completes Piaggio Aerospace takeover with plans to boost drone production]()
Baykar completes Piaggio Aerospace takeover with plans to boost drone production
The takeover of the Italian firm by Baykar solidifies the company’s efforts to forge closer ties with Italian industry, bolsters its partnership with Leonardo to produce UAVs and secures its foothold in Europe.
-
![US budget boosts Boeing’s F-15EX with $3.1 billion investment to increase fleet to 129]()
US budget boosts Boeing’s F-15EX with $3.1 billion investment to increase fleet to 129
The F-15EX Eagle II had already been singled out for further funding in January 2025, when it was chosen to replace the A-10 aircraft for the US National Guard.
-
![Spain earmarks $1.6 billion for Hurjet trainer aircraft acquisition]()
Spain earmarks $1.6 billion for Hurjet trainer aircraft acquisition
Spain’s Defence Minister told the Senate Defense Commission on 27 June of the decision to acquire Turkish Aerospace Industries’ (TAI) trainers as the country seeks to replace its Northrop F-5M aircraft.
