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PoliticsRomania orders 12 Thales GM200 MM/A radars from France in government-to-government deal
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Romania has agreed to purchase 12 Thales Ground Master 200 Multi-Mission All-in-one (GM200 MM/A) radars from France under a government-to-government deal funded by the European Union's SAFE programme. The contract was signed by France's Direction Générale de l'Armement (DGA) and the Romanian General Directorate for Armaments, with initial deliveries expected in 2027. The medium-range 4D AESA radars can track drones, aircraft, and missiles up to 350km and are designed for rapid deployment in under 15 minutes. Both countries emphasized the deal strengthens NATO's eastern flank amid heightened regional security concerns. Thales, which has operated in Romania for over 20 years and employs 850 people locally, will establish a Radar Competence Centre to support local industrial capacity and expertise. The agreement builds on long-standing Franco-Romanian defense cooperation.
Source report
Romania has agreed to purchase 12 Thales Ground Master 200 Multi-Mission All-in-one (GM200 MM/A) radars from France under a government-to-government agreement.
The deal, funded by the European Union through the SAFE programme, was signed by France's Direction Générale de l'Armement (DGA) and the Romanian General Directorate for Armaments. Thales has stated that initial deliveries are expected in 2027.
Radar Capabilities
The GM200 MM/A radars are medium-range 4D Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) systems, already deployed in active operational environments. Key specifications include:
- Range: Capable of tracking airborne threats up to 350 km
- Threat detection: Drones, aircraft, and missiles
- Multi-mission functionality: Air and surface surveillance, weapon coordination, and early warning against rocket, artillery, and mortar attacks
- Deployment: All-in-one system housed in a single vehicle-mobile 20ft shelter, deployable in under 15 minutes
Strategic Context
Both the Romanian and French defence ministries emphasised that the agreement underscores the strong bilateral partnership and aligns with efforts to reinforce NATO's eastern flank. Romania, a member of both the European Union and NATO, continues to modernise its armed forces amid heightened focus on regional security.
Industry and Localisation
Pascale Sourisse, Thales Senior Executive Vice-President for International Development, said: "Our Group fully supports Romania's ambition to develop long-term industrial capacity and expertise in the radar domain. In the spirit of the SAFE initiative, we will create a Radar Competence Centre to accompany this agreement.
"We stand ready to expand partnerships with Romanian industry, to strengthen localisation, sustain operational readiness, and contribute to future Nato and European initiatives involving Romania."
Thales has operated in Romania for more than 20 years, employs over 850 personnel locally, and runs one of its global engineering competence centres in the country. The company stated that this latest contract builds on its established relationship with Romania, with plans to further support local engineering talent and industrial partnerships as part of broader European security initiatives.
Source
Army TechnologyWestern
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Romania orders 12 Thales GM200 MM/A radars from France in government-to-government deal