U.S. Raytheon wins $168M contract to supply Patriot air defense systems to Romania.

Raytheon has secured a $168 million U.S. Foreign Military Sales contract to provide Romania with additional Patriot air defense missile systems. The deal deepens Romania’s integration into NATO’s air defense architecture amid rising regional security pressures.

American Company Raytheon, an RTX business, announced on December 19, 2025, that it had been awarded a $168 million Foreign Military Sales contract to supply Romania with additional equipment for its Patriot air defense missile system, according to the company. The U.S. Department of Defense is administering the agreement, which includes a radar system, command-and-control components, launchers, and a wide range of support and testing equipment to strengthen Romania’s high-tier air defense capabilities.
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The Romanian Army's 74th Patriot Regiment conducted the country’s first live-fire PATRIOT missile exercise at Capu Midia on November 15–16, 2023. Romania began receiving the first of seven systems in 2020 through a U.S. foreign military sales program. (Picture source: U.S. Department of War)

Romania currently operates four Patriot fire units, with deliveries beginning in 2020. The first battery achieved Initial Operational Capability (IOC) in 2022 and was deployed to protect critical national infrastructure and NATO airspace along the Black Sea corridor. The remaining three units under the original contract are expected to be fielded by 2028. The newly announced contract likely covers components tied to these final systems, as well as additional capabilities to extend radar coverage and increase launcher density.

All systems delivered to Romania are the Patriot Configuration 3+ variant, the most advanced version of the system in wide NATO service. These systems feature the AN/MPQ-65 radar, a multi-function phased-array system designed to detect, track, and engage multiple threats simultaneously, even in contested electromagnetic environments. Romania’s batteries are also equipped with PAC-3 MSE (Missile Segment Enhancement) interceptors, designed for high-speed, hit-to-kill engagements against a wide array of targets, including tactical ballistic missiles, long-range cruise missiles, and next-generation air-breathing threats.

The Configuration 3+ suite includes a digital command-and-control network that allows seamless integration into NATO’s Integrated Air and Missile Defense (IAMD) architecture. This not only enhances Romania’s national air defense capabilities but also supports NATO’s regional operations by creating a connected sensor-to-shooter framework. While Romania has not yet received the next-generation Lower Tier Air and Missile Defense Sensor (LTAMDS) radar under this program, its current systems are designed to be upgradeable and remain compatible with future sensor enhancements fielded by the U.S. Army and NATO partners.

This acquisition comes at a time of heightened focus on strategic air defense across Europe. In 2025 alone, Germany, the Netherlands, and Spain have signed similar Patriot procurement agreements in response to lessons drawn from the ongoing war in Ukraine. Patriot batteries deployed in support of Ukraine have played a pivotal role in intercepting Russian Kinzhal and Iskander missiles, validating the system’s effectiveness in live combat against sophisticated threats.

Romania’s Patriot units are strategically positioned to defend critical national assets, NATO air corridors, and forward-deployed infrastructure in the Black Sea region. As a NATO front-line state bordering Ukraine and Moldova, Romania faces an increasingly complex threat environment, including potential cruise missile incursions from Russian naval platforms in the Black Sea, and advanced drone and missile systems proliferating across non-NATO actors. The Patriot system provides a proven, high-end solution to these challenges, and its deployment significantly raises the threshold for hostile airspace incursions.

While the $168 million contract does not include additional interceptor missiles, it expands the structural backbone of Romania’s Patriot system. This includes extra launchers, additional radar nodes, and C2 enhancements, all of which improve the system’s resilience, range, and operational tempo in the event of a large-scale saturation attack. Integration with Romania’s other air defense assets—such as NASAMS for mid-range coverage and Gepard self-propelled anti-aircraft guns for point defense—forms a layered shield designed to counter a wide spectrum of aerial threats.

Full operational capability for all seven Patriot fire units is projected for 2028, with Romanian forces continuing advanced operator training alongside U.S. Army Europe. Romania is also expected to participate in upcoming NATO air defense exercises aimed at testing interoperability and rapid deployment readiness of integrated Patriot systems across the Eastern flank.

This new contract underscores Romania’s commitment to completing its long-range air defense modernization and strengthens NATO’s deterrent posture in the strategically sensitive Black Sea region. It also reinforces Raytheon’s position as a leading provider of combat-proven missile defense systems, with the U.S. Patriot air defense missile system now operational in 19 allied nations and continuing to receive modernization investments to stay ahead of emerging aerial threats.

Written by Alain Servaes – Chief Editor, Army Recognition Group
Alain Servaes is a former infantry non-commissioned officer and the founder of Army Recognition. With over 20 years in defense journalism, he provides expert analysis on military equipment, NATO operations, and the global defense industry.