On January 15, the Romanian government finalized an intergovernmental agreement with the Republic of Korea regarding the purchase of the South Korean Chiron (KP-SAM MANPADS) Very Short-Range, Man Portable Air Defence System (VSHORAD).

The contract, worth approximately USD 96.5 million, includes, among others, 54 man-portable Chiron (KP-SAM) launchers, an undisclosed number of anti-aircraft missiles, an initial logistics support package, documentation, technical support, training aids, and services.

This acquisition is part of Romania’s ‘Strategic Umbrella’ (Umbrela Strategică), a program designed to purchase various anti-aircraft means for the Romanian Armed Forces.  

In 2022, a tender was held for the procurement of light anti-aircraft systems and, although the MBDA France Mistral 3 system was initially chosen, the process was later cancelled.

Overall, Bucharest plans to spend around USD 680 million on short-range anti-aircraft systems, with the entire program having a budget of about USD 2 billion.

It also recently signed an agreement with Germany’s Rheinmetall to upgrade 24 Oerlikon anti-aircraft guns of the Skyguard system, including radar and battle management systems.

Ακόμα μια χώρα αυτή τη φορά η Ρουμανία, προχωρά με αναβάθμιση των δίδυμων αντιαεροπορικών πυροβόλων #oerlikon 35mm σε διαμόρφωση 4Χ6 πυροβόλα GDF009, 4X ραντάρ #xtar3D, 4X σύστημα #Skymaster BMS και λοιπό εξοπλισμό συνολικής αξίας 328 εκατ. Η 🇨🇾 διαθέτει υπόψη 24 πυροβόλα GDF και… https://t.co/OeI1UIK7eq

— DEFENCE ReDEFiNED (@Def_Redefined) December 24, 2023

Chiron technical characteristics: 

• Weight (Launcher): 24.3 kg 
• Length: 1.68 m
• Diameter: 80 mm
• Crew: 2 (on a tripod) / 1 (handheld)
• Maximum operational range: 7 km
• Warhead weight: 2.5 kg
• Engine: Solid fuel rocket
• Maximum speed: Mach 2.1
• Guidance system: Infrared homing

With this agreement, Romania becomes the first NATO country to use South Korean anti-aircraft defence systems.

Also read: Croatia | Acquisition of Mistral 3 air defence missile systems from MBDA