Romania’s CA-95 - Ukraine’s Newest Air Defense Addition
Why did they send it in secret?
Ukraine’s air defense network just got a little stronger, and this time, the new hardware came from an unexpected—yet not entirely surprising—ally: Romania.
But here’s the kicker: the transfer wasn’t announced with the usual fanfare of military aid. Instead, the CA-95 short-range air defense (SHORAD) system just appeared on the battlefield, its Romanian insignia hastily painted over, like a teenager trying to hide a tattoo.
So why the secrecy? And more importantly, how does the CA-95 stack up against the rest of Ukraine’s growing arsenal of air defense systems?
Let’s break it down.
The CA-95: Old but Effective
First, let’s talk about what Ukraine is getting. The CA-95 is essentially Romania’s take on the Soviet-era 9K31 Strela-1, mounted on the TABC-79 armored personnel carrier. While it’s not the most cutting-edge system on the market, it still packs a punch where it matters: low-altitude threats like helicopters, drones, and cruise missiles.
The CA-95 air defense system has an engagement range of 800 meters to 4.2 kilometers, making it effective against low-altitude threats. It can target aircraft, drones, and missiles flying at altitudes between 50 and 3,500 meters.
The system's missiles travel at a speed of 310 meters per second when pursuing a target and 220 meters per second when engaging head-on threats. Equipped with a passive infrared and optical homing guidance system, the CA-95 is capable of autonomously tracking and engaging enemy aircraft.
The launcher is armed with four ready-to-fire missiles, with two additional spares available for rapid reloading. Mounted on the TABC-79, a 4x4 amphibious armored personnel carrier, the system is highly mobile and adaptable to various battlefield conditions.
While this may not sound groundbreaking, Ukraine has proven time and again that even older air defense systems—when used tactically and in layers—can still be devastating against Russian aircraft and drones.
Let’s pause for a moment to appreciate Ukraine’s truly multi-national air defense system. In its effort to close its skies to Russian terror, no fewer than nineteen countries have donated unique air defense systems in various quantities to Ukraine.
Of course, in my opinion, they still need more. But I’m pretty sure Ukraine is the only country fielding Minstral MANPADS from Estonia next to SAMP/T systems from Italy – and numerous other combinations; not to mention FrankenSAM.
The CA-95 is perfect for filling gaps in this already impressive air defense coverage, especially for protecting critical infrastructure and frontline troop positions.
The key advantage of the CA-95 isn’t its cutting-edge technology—it’s the combination of mobility, ease of use, and sheer availability.
Unlike heavier systems that require dedicated radar stations or centralized command networks, the CA-95 operates independently with its passive infrared guidance system. That means it can be deployed quickly and repositioned as needed, making it an ideal choice for defending mobile units or infrastructure against sudden drone and helicopter attacks.
Another major benefit? It’s amphibious.
The TABC-79 platform allows the CA-95 to move across rivers and wetlands, which is particularly useful in Ukraine’s upcoming Spring weather. Russian forces have relied heavily on river crossings to advance in certain regions, and the ability to position air defenses on both sides of a river gives Ukraine a tactical edge.
Then there’s the logistical simplicity. Since Romania has been operating the CA-95 for decades, there’s no shortage of spare parts or technical manuals floating around. That means Ukraine doesn’t need months of training to get these systems up and running—they can go straight into action.
Of course, no system is perfect. The CA-95 was designed in an era when drones weren’t a major battlefield threat, so its infrared-guided missiles may struggle against smaller, low-signature UAVs. That’s not to say that the radar system couldn’t be augmented and upgraded to provide a better picture of drones.
Also, while it’s great at engaging helicopters and low-flying aircraft, it lacks the reach to threaten high-altitude bombers or advanced fighter jets.
Still, as a layered part of Ukraine’s broader air defense network, the CA-95 does exactly what it needs to: provide a short-range shield against some of Russia’s most common aerial threats.
How Does It Compare to Ukraine’s Other Air Defense Systems?
Ukraine already fields an eclectic mix of air defense systems, ranging from ancient Soviet relics to state-of-the-art Western platforms.
Against the Strela-10, the CA-95 is functionally similar but mounted on a different platform. While the Strela-10 is based on the MT-LB chassis, the CA-95 uses the TABC-79, which is amphibious and offers slightly better crew protection.
Germany’s donated Gepard self-propelled anti-aircraft guns have been wildly successful against drones and low-flying missiles.
The CA-95, while missile-based rather than gun-based, can provide similar coverage but with a greater engagement range.
The CA-95 is strictly short-range, whereas Germany’s IRIS-T and Norway’s NASAMS provide much deeper coverage.
Think of the CA-95 as a shotgun and the NASAMS as a sniper rifle—both useful, but for different roles.
Ukraine’s creative mashup of Soviet launchers and Western missiles (like the so-called “FrankenSAM” system) offers more firepower, but these systems are still being fielded in limited numbers.
The CA-95 is a plug-and-play solution that doesn’t require modifications or workarounds.
But Why Did Romania Send the CA-95 in Secret?
Good question…
While Romania has openly supported Ukraine with various weapons and ammunition since the start of the full-scale invasion, this particular transfer was handled under the radar.
There are a few likely reasons.
The first goal would be avoiding Russian retaliation. Romania shares a border with Ukraine and is a NATO member. While Putin isn’t bold enough to attack a NATO country directly, Romania might prefer to keep its contributions out of the headlines to avoid becoming a high-priority target for cyber attacks or hybrid warfare.
Then there’s OPSEC or operational security. Ukraine’s air defense strategy relies on unpredictability. Announcing the arrival of new systems gives Russia time to adjust tactics. Keeping things quiet ensures the CA-95 gets a chance to perform before Russia knows what hit them.
We should also consider Romania’s historical military aid policy. Romania has consistently provided military aid to Ukraine, including armored personnel carriers, artillery systems, and ammunition, but often with minimal publicity.
The CA-95’s quiet transfer follows this established pattern of measured support without making Romania a primary focus of Russian diplomatic or hybrid warfare efforts.
Of course, there are always political sensitivities any time you’re moving weapon systems across borders. While Romania has a clear pro-NATO stance, domestic politics and regional concerns may have played a role in keeping this transfer discreet.
Some factions within Romania’s political landscape may have concerns about escalating tensions with Russia, leading to a more low-profile approach to arms transfers.
Finally, it might have been moved in secret simply because some weapons systems require time to be integrated into Ukraine’s existing battlefield tactics before they are publicly acknowledged. By the time the CA-95 is officially recognized, it may have already been tested in combat and assessed for effectiveness.
The answer to questions like these always comes down to OPSEC. Not every military aid donation needs to be publicized – let’s save some surprises for the invaders.
So, how many CA-95s are in Ukraine?
So far, no official numbers have been released on how many CA-95 systems have made it to Ukraine, but open-source intelligence suggests that at least a few are actively defending Ukrainian skies.
The first images of the system surfaced on March 8, 2025, on the Telegram account TyskNIP, showing the CA-95 in its original Romanian camouflage, with identifying insignia removed.
Romania originally produced 48 of these systems, all of which remain in service with the Romanian Land Forces.
The country has since upgraded to the CA-95M variant, which features modernized A95M-RC missiles with improved targeting and automated tracking. It’s possible that some of the older CA-95s were deemed surplus and transferred to Ukraine, especially given Romania’s history of military aid to its embattled neighbor.
Ukraine isn’t the first recipient of Romanian military hardware. In the past, Romania has sent TAB-71M armored personnel carriers, 152mm M1981 artillery systems, APR-40 multiple rocket launchers, and a Patriot air defense battery.
Ammunition deliveries have been ongoing, including 122mm shells, RPG-7 rounds, and Grad rockets. However, unlike previous transfers, the CA-95 was sent under a veil of secrecy.
So, the CA-95 isn’t going to win the war by itself, but it’s a solid addition to Ukraine’s growing air defense network. With Russia relying more on mass drone and missile strikes, every system capable of shooting down inbound threats is another headache for the Kremlin.
And given Ukraine’s track record of using every air defense system to its fullest potential, expect to see reports of the CA-95 knocking Russian drones out of the sky soon—whether Romania officially acknowledges it or not.
And with recent US flakiness on military aid, these types of European systems are the workhorse of Ukraine’s air defense coverage.
I hope to see more shipments like this in the coming months.
That’s it for today, friends. Subscribe to get pro-Ukraine military analysis in your inbox, and as always…
Слава Україні!
Thanks for sharing this article! Interesting really!
Thanks for the update. Secrecy and discretion are probably quite good. I think more country could adopt that. Send stuff and then keep mom about exactly what you sent and when.