Romania modernizes its navy with advanced NATO-standard missiles

Romania will undergo an intensive process of replacing Soviet-era weapons with modern NATO-standard equipment. One key objective is increasing operational capabilities in the Black Sea. Here, we present the capabilities of Marte ER missiles.

Representatives from MBDA and IAR Brașov have signed an agreement regarding the integration of Marte ER anti-ship missiles with Airbus H215M helicopters, which are in service with the Romanian Navy. Thanks to the performance of Marte ER, the Romanian Navy will gain the ability to effectively combat surface units, significantly enhancing the protection of national interests.

Arnaud Rousset, MBDA's vice president for Europe, commented on the contract signing: "As the European leader in complex weapon systems, MBDA is the best suited to tackle the challenges faced in Europe by reinforcing European decisive defense capabilities. We are proud to contribute to the Romanian Armed Forces' strategic autonomy and we will continue to act as a trusted partner by offering a comprehensive portfolio adapted to their current and future needs."

The Marte ER missile is the latest generation of this family, based on the Marte MK2/N missile. These missiles weigh approximately 761 pounds and are 11.8 feet long, and they are designed to engage targets at distances exceeding 62 miles.

Like most of its competitors, it is a missile traveling just above the water’s surface at high subsonic speeds (Mach 0.8-0.9). It is equipped with an inertial navigation system, satellite navigation, and an active radar seeker for precise guidance in the final phase of flight. The penetrating fragmentation warhead, weighing approximately 165 pounds, destroys the target, capable of eliminating smaller ships and damaging larger ones.