RSS
MoU to kick-off Patriot missile program signed at Gov't headquarters
Premier Mihai Tudose welcomed on Wednesday, at the start of the government's meeting, the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between Romania's Ministry of Economy, through S.C. Aerostar SA, and US company Raytheon International Defense System, pointing out that this is the fifth large US company to undertake in the past two months to transfer technology to Romania.
"I am pleased to announce you the signing of yet another economic partnership between a Romanian privately-owned company and one of the world's largest contractors, Raytheon - the famous Raytheon that produces Patriot missiles. They are coming to invest in Romania, and they also invest by transferring technology. The agreement between the Bacau-based Aerostar and Raytheon United States was signed today at the government headquarters, which is extraordinary. It is the fifth large American company to sign and undertake to technology transfer to Romania in the past two months," the PM said.
Mihai Tudose attended earlier in the day the signing, at the Victoria Palace of Government, of the Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Economy, through S.C. Aerostar S.A., and US defense contractor Raytheon International Defense System on cooperation in the line of equipment and components of the multi-level air defense integrated system, a document that allows procedures for the acquisition, under the Army endowment program, of the first Patriot system to effectively kick off this year.
"The document provides for the transfer of technology and of the necessary technical assistance to upgrade and re-engineer the existing equipment, as well as for ensuring the specific technical support for Patriot missile systems. The signing of the Memorandum thus allows procedures for the purchase of the first Patriot system for the Romanian Forces, in line with the Endowment Plan 2017-2026, to effectively kick off, in the context of Romania's commitments as a partner on NATO's eastern flank and as a strategic partner in the relationship with the US," the government announced in a release.
According to the cited release, Minister of National Defense Mihai Fifor, Minister of Economy Gheorghe Simon, state advisors Lucian Foca, Florin Vodita, Felix Rache and Ramona Lohan, as well as US Ambassador to Romania Hans Klemm were also present at the document-signing ceremony.
"The document provides for the transfer of technology and of the necessary technical assistance to upgrade and re-engineer the existing equipment, as well as for ensuring the specific technical support for Patriot missile systems. The signing of the Memorandum thus allows procedures for the purchase of the first Patriot system for the Romanian Forces, in line with the Endowment Plan 2017-2026, to effectively kick off, in the context of Romania's commitments as a partner on NATO's eastern flank and as a strategic partner in the relationship with the US," the cited source said.
The release states that representatives of the two signatory companies, Grigore Filip — President and CEO of S.C. Aerostar S.A., and William Schmieder — President of Raytheon International Defense System, pointed out that this is just the first step of a long-lasting cooperation that will see Romania included in major defense procurement programs.
"Opportunities will be thus created for the implementation of the new cutting-edge technologies in the field, and the development of the most advanced anti-missile system is not only a guarantee of security for Romania, but also the fulfillment of Romania's commitments as a NATO partner country," the release concludes.