Rheinmetall delays delivery of air defense systems for Romania / Company pays tens of thousands of euros in penalties per day

Rheinmetall has not yet delivered the first two modernized anti-aircraft systems intended for the Romanian Army, although the contractual deadline, April 15, 2026, has passed. The German company is paying penalties of tens of thousands of euros for each day of delay, interim Defense Minister Radu Miruță stated on Antena 3 CNN.

The contract provides for the acquisition of four systems, each with its own delivery deadline, and the penalties are calculated separately for each piece of equipment. The minister noted that Romania is strictly enforcing the contractual provisions and that the financial sanctions are intended to pressure the supplier to honor its commitments.

The first two systems did not pass the acceptance tests after some subsystems were declared non-compliant. Rheinmetall cited technical problems and supply difficulties and undertook to replace the components. The company had indicated September as the new delivery deadline, but the minister believes that this no longer appears realistic.

The contract has a total value of 328 million euros. The systems are expected to enable the interception of drones, missiles, and small-caliber projectiles. Until delivery, Romania is relying on the American MEROPS system, Gepard guns, and the network of sensors and radars, while the Ministry of Defense is preparing new counter-drone acquisitions through the European SAFE program.