Romania has signed a government-to-government defense procurement agreement with France worth approximately €1 billion for Airbus H225M transport helicopters and Thales Ground Master 200 MM/A (GM200 MM/A) air-surveillance radars, financed through the European Union’s Security Action for Europe (SAFE) program.
Romania’s Ministry of National Defense said the agreement was concluded under a joint procurement framework, with France’s Directorate General of Armaments (DGA) serving as the contracting authority on behalf of both countries.
The procurement consists of two acquisition programs.
The larger package covers the purchase of 12 Airbus H225M multi-role transport helicopters, valued at approximately €757 million, including logistics and training support.
The second contract covers 12 Thales GM200 MM/A air-surveillance radars worth approximately €247 million, also including logistics and training.
According to the Romanian Ministry of National Defense, the final contract values are around €100 million below the initial cost estimates submitted under the SAFE program.
The helicopter acquisition further expands Airbus’ presence in Romania. Earlier this year, on May 30, Romania’s Ministry of Internal Affairs placed an order for five Airbus H145 and seven H160 helicopters.
Romania also joins a growing group of European NATO operators of the H225M, which is already in service with France and Hungary, while the Netherlands has also selected the platform.
The acquisition is expected to enhance the Romanian Armed Forces’ tactical transport capabilities while strengthening national air-surveillance capacity through the addition of the Ground Master 200 MM/A radar systems.
The agreement also reinforces defense-industrial cooperation between Romania and France and represents another procurement financed through the European Union’s SAFE program, which supports joint defense acquisitions among participating countries.