Romania strengthens air defense with €1.09 Bn investment in Patriot GEM-T PAC-2 missiles.

On January 4, 2024, the Romanian Ministry of Defense announced the acquisition of 200 PAC-2 GEM-T missiles for its Patriot missile system, as part of a multinational purchase organized by NATO's Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA). This investment of 1.09 billion euros (approximately 1.2 billion dollars) is part of a broader 5.5 billion dollar contract with COMLOG, a joint venture between Raytheon (United States) and MBDA (Germany).
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PAC-2 GEM-T (Guidance Enhanced Missile-Tactical) is another variant within the Patriot system (Picture source: German MoD)

This contract aims to supply Patriot missiles to several European countries, including Germany, the Netherlands, Romania, and Spain. The Romanian Minister of Defense, Angel Tilvar, emphasized that this purchase strengthens Romania's air defense in the face of tensions in Eastern Europe, notably due to Russian aggression in Ukraine.

NATO also plans to establish a Patriot missile production facility in Germany. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg stressed the importance of this investment for transatlantic security and the need to improve air defenses against current threats.

The purchase is part of the European Sky Shield Initiative (ESSI), a NATO project to develop a European air and missile defense system through joint acquisitions.

The PAC-2 GEM-T (Guidance Enhanced Missile-Tactical) is another variant within the Patriot system, focusing on improving its ability to counter tactical ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and enemy aircraft. This upgrade involves enhancements to the missile's guidance and control systems, ensuring greater accuracy and reliability. The GEM-T retains the explosive fragmentation warhead of the PAC-2, differentiating it from the hit-to-kill approach of the PAC-3. It provides a cost-effective solution to upgrade existing missile stocks, extending the Patriot system's life and capability.

The Patriot PAC-2 GEM-T is known for its enhanced ability to detect low radar signature targets and better detonation near ballistic missiles.

In 2020, the first delivery of a Patriot unit to Romania was marked by an official ceremony, highlighting the system's importance for the country's defense. In May 2022, Romania, through Romarm and its subsidiary Electromecanica Ploiesti, signed a contract with Raytheon Missiles & Defense for the domestic production of SkyCeptor interceptor missiles for Patriot systems, enhancing domestic defense manufacturing capabilities.

In response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Romania has embarked on an ambitious expansion of its defense capabilities. For 2024, the Ministry of National Defense is expected to receive over 95 billion lei (approximately €20 billion), nearly 45% higher than the 2023 budget. Over the five years up to 2027, including the 2023 expenditure, Romania plans to invest almost 320 billion lei (approximately €64.4 billion) in its Army, enabling various military acquisitions and modernization plans.

These plans include acquisitions such as Patriot and MANPADS air defense systems, M1A2 Abrams SEPv3 and K2 Black Panther main battle tanks, HIMARS rocket launchers, JLTVs and Piranha V armored vehicles, Javelin anti-tank guided missiles (ATGMs), AAV-7 amphibious assault vehicles, K9 Thunder 155 mm self-propelled howitzers, additional trucks, Polaris UTVs, Bayraktar TB-2 and Watchkeeper X drones, H215M and Sikorsky S-70M Black Hawk combat helicopters, modernized F-16 fighter jets, and two combat submarines. From 2024 to 2027, procurement programs for infantry fighting vehicles, tactical drones, 5th-generation multirole aircraft (F35), and European patrol corvettes are also planned.

Romania's increased defense budget is in line with decisions from previous NATO Summits and a National Political Pact signed by Romanian parties. The country has allocated 2% of its GDP to defense for seven consecutive years, with over 20% of the MApN budget dedicated to equipment purchases. From 2023, defense spending increased to 2.5% of GDP, as decided by the Supreme Council of Defense of the Country.