The Romanian military will soon integrate a new U.S.-approved Patriot missile battery into its arsenal, enhancing NATO’s air defenses amid continued Russian threats and rising allied defense coordination.
NATO ally Romania will receive a new MIM-104 Patriot air-defense system, the U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) announced late last month. The U.S. State Department approved the foreign military sale (FMS) of the Patriot, while RTX and Lockheed Martin were named the principal contractors in the deal valued at $280 million.
Bucharest has sought to acquire an AN/MPQ-65 Configuration 3+ Increment 3 radar set, an AN/MSQ-132 Engagement Control Station, an Electrical Power Plant (EPP), and two M903 launching stations.
The sale will include a Patriot Advanced Capability-3 Missile Segment Enhancement launcher conversion kit, Defense Advanced GPS Receivers, and an AN/TPX-57V1 identification friend or foe system. The battery will enhance Romania’s ability to counter missiles, drones, and aircraft airborne threats.
“The proposed sale will improve Romania’s capability to meet current and future threats by enabling it to field a credible force to deter adversaries and support its participation in NATO operations,” DSCA stated.
“The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not alter the basic military balance in the region.”
According to U.S. law, DSCA notified Congress of the proposed sale under the Arms Export Control Act. While lawmakers have the authority to block or modify the sale, it is expected to meet little to no resistance.
As part of the proposed sale, the U.S. government and the contractors will each send five representatives to stay in Romania for three years to provide support, particularly in training and equipment fielding.
“There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness as a result of this proposed sale,” DSCA added.
Bucharest had previously reached deals with Washington in 2017 and 2020 to purchase seven Patriot air-defense systems, four of which have already been delivered.
Romania Is Replacing the Older Patriot Systems Sent to Ukraine
The new MIM-104 Patriot battery, approved for FMS to Romania, will replace a previous air defense system sent to Ukraine last year.
According to a report from The Defense Post, the procurement was “partially funded by Norway and Sweden,” both NATO members. The Nordic countries paid around $124 million and $27 million, respectively.
“Romania needs financial means to reacquire Patriot-type projectiles, sensors, and other equipment as a replacement for the systems that the country donated to Ukraine in 2024,” the Swedish Ministry of Defense announced in January.
The New Patriot System to Be Sold Beyond Romania
The MIM-104 Patriot is currently protecting nineteen NATO nations in Europe. In January, the alliance reached a framework agreement that would see upwards of 1,000 batteries deployed across the continent to bolster air defenses. The move came as a response to Russia’s continuing war in Ukraine, as well as the deployment of nuclear missiles to neighboring Belarus.
The MIM-104 was initially developed in the 1970s but only gained fame during the Persian Gulf War in 1991, when over forty Iraqi Scud missiles were claimed to have been engaged. More recently, Ukraine employed the Patriot system to shoot down Russian ballistic missiles, including an air-launched Kinzhal. Designed to counter Soviet missiles, the Patriot features an advanced aerial interceptor missile and high-performance radar systems.
About the Author: Peter Suciu
Peter Suciu has contributed over 3,200 published pieces to more than four dozen magazines and websites over a thirty-year career in journalism. He regularly writes about military hardware, firearms history, cybersecurity, politics, and international affairs. Peter is also a Contributing Writer for Forbes and Clearance Jobs. He is based in Michigan. You can follow him on Twitter: @PeterSuciu. You can email the author: [email protected].
Image Credit: Shutterstock/ Mircea Moira.
