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US Approves Strategic Military Sale of Patriot Air Defense System to Strengthen Romania's Security.
On April 28, 2025, the U.S. Department of State approved a potential Foreign Military Sale (FMS) to Romania, covering a Patriot air defense system and associated equipment, with an estimated value of $280 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) formally notified Congress of this decision, emphasizing Washington’s objective to strengthen the security of a key NATO ally located on the Alliance’s eastern flank. This project is part of a broader dynamic aimed at progressively reinforcing Romania’s air defense capabilities in response to regional threats.
The Romanian Army's 74th Patriot Regiment conducted the country's first PATRIOT missile system live-fire exercise at the Capu Midia test firing range in Romania (Picture source: US DoD)
According to the official notification, Romania has requested the acquisition of an AN/MPQ-65 Configuration 3+ Increment 3 radar, an AN/MSQ-132 Engagement Control Station, two M903 launchers, and an EPP III electric power plant. The contract also includes supplementary equipment such as launcher modification kits, a PAC-3 Missile Segment Enhancement launcher conversion kit, generators, spare parts, prime movers, encrypted communications systems (KG-250X and KIV-77), an AN/TPX-57v1 Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) system, as well as a broad range of technical support services, logistics support, classified software, and technical publications.
The MIM-104 Patriot system is designed to intercept and neutralize various threats, including tactical ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and aircraft. Developed in the 1970s and fielded in the 1980s, the Patriot features a modular and mobile architecture capable of being deployed in under one hour. It uses the AN/MPQ-53 or AN/MPQ-65 phased array radar for target detection and tracking, while the AN/MSQ-104 control station manages engagement coordination. Designed for networked operations with other air defense systems, it remains effective even in contested electronic environments.
The Patriot system can be equipped with different missile types depending on the threat: PAC-2 GEM-T missiles, optimized for conventional aerial targets with a 90-kg blast fragmentation warhead, or PAC-3 MSE missiles employing "hit-to-kill" technology to destroy ballistic missiles through direct impact. Each M901 launcher can carry four PAC-2 missiles or up to sixteen PAC-3 missiles, significantly increasing engagement capacity. The system offers coverage up to 70 km in range and can intercept targets at altitudes above 24 km. In service with many U.S. allies, including Germany, South Korea, Israel, and more recently, Ukraine, the Patriot remains a key component of modern integrated air defense.
This acquisition is part of Romania’s continuous efforts to modernize its armed forces. Since receiving its first Patriot system in September 2020, followed by three additional units delivered by 2023, Romania has achieved several major milestones. In December 2024, the Romanian Ministry of National Defense announced that the 74th Anti-Aircraft Missile Regiment had reached full operational capability after a rigorous certification process, validated through live-fire exercises at the Capu Midia training center on the Black Sea coast. This development reinforced the integration of Patriot systems into Romania’s national defense structure and NATO’s collective security framework.
In parallel, Romania demonstrated its solidarity with its neighbors by transferring one of its Patriot systems to Ukraine in October 2024, in response to intensified aerial attacks by Russia. This decision, endorsed by the Supreme Council of National Defense, was accompanied by efforts to procure replacement systems through close coordination with the United States, ensuring Romania’s air defense capabilities and NATO interoperability were maintained.
The new $280 million acquisition follows a major contract valued at $946 million awarded in January 2025 to Raytheon, a division of RTX, for additional Patriot systems. It marks Bucharest's third order, reflecting its ongoing commitment to strengthening its defensive capabilities and contributing to regional stability in Eastern Europe.
The MIM-104 Patriot system is designed to intercept and neutralize various threats, including tactical ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and aircraft (Picture source: US DoD)
Originally developed by Raytheon and continuously updated since its entry into service in 1981, the Patriot system’s performance has been significantly enhanced through the introduction of the PAC-3 MSE missiles. These missiles offer improved accuracy and interception capabilities against advanced ballistic threats. A complete Patriot battery includes the AN/MPQ-65 radar, the AN/MSQ-132 Engagement Control Station, EPP III generators, and M901 or M903 launchers capable of deploying either PAC-2 GEM-T or PAC-3 MSE missiles.
Beyond the military aspect, the deployment of the Patriot system in Romania is accompanied by industrial cooperation. Raytheon collaborates with local Romanian companies to support the country’s defense industrial base and ensure the long-term sustainability of its maintenance and logistics capabilities. This approach is consistent with broader NATO strategies to reinforce technological autonomy among member states.
The main contractors for the project are RTX Corporation, based in Andover, Massachusetts, and Lockheed Martin, based in Bethesda, Maryland. No offset agreements have been announced at this stage, with potential arrangements to be negotiated directly between Romania and the companies involved. The implementation of the sale will require the deployment of approximately five U.S. government representatives and five contractors to Romania for up to three years to support training and system integration.
This investment complements Romania’s broader modernization program launched in 2017 with the signing of a $4 billion contract for the acquisition of seven Patriot Configuration 3 units, including radars, control stations, launchers, power plants, and a substantial stockpile of PAC-2 GEM-T and PAC-3 MSE missiles. By 2027, the delivery of three additional units is expected, bringing Romania’s total to seven operational batteries, consolidating its role as a key contributor to NATO’s eastern defense posture.
The approval of this new sale fits into a coherent strategic approach, aiming to sustainably strengthen Romania’s air defense capabilities while supporting NATO’s collective deterrence efforts amid a growingly complex security environment in Eastern Europe.