Romania acquires Chiron (KP-SAM) air defence systems from South Korea

The contract, valued at approximately USD 96.5 million, includes 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, among other items.

This acquisition is part of Romania’s ‘Strategic Umbrella’ (Umbrela Strategică), a programme 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 canceled.

The selection of the LiG Nex1 Chiron system was first reported in Romanian media in mid-last year. 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.

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