Romania signs contract with Thales for four ground controlled approach radars

Thales' STAR NG S-band primary surveillance radar as seen on the company's website in October 2026. (Thales)

The Romanian Ministry of National Defence (MND) announced on 27 October 2026 that it signed a contract worth around RON326.5 million (USD67.95 million) with Thales for the acquisition of four mobile approach and landing radar systems.

The systems will be delivered to four Romanian Air Force locations in stages, starting in 2028 and ending by 2030. The Romanian MND's General Directorate for Armaments signed the contract with Thales which includes Thales Romania and Thales LAS France.

Thales described the platforms as ground controlled approach radar systems in its 27 October press release. The company said the primary and secondary radar will provide target data to “national and NATO command and control [C2] systems, 24/7 and in all weather conditions”.

The new radars will also be used for guidance during the approach and landing of an aircraft including in “a hostile electromagnetic environment”, the Romanian MND said in its release. The deployable configuration will reduce dependency on fixed air base infrastructure and enable their use at alternative locations, it added.

While the Romanian MND did not identify the models of the system, Thales named the STAR NG (Solid-state Approach Radar – Next Generation) primary surveillance radar and the RSM NG (next-generation monopulse secondary surveillance radar: radar secondaire monopulse)/IFF (identification friend or foe) secondary surveillance and identification system. Thales also said it would install four Precision Approach Radars (PARs) to support accurate control of all types of aircraft during approach and landing.