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Raytheon awarded contract to produce Romania's new Patriot system
Romania's Defence Minister Mihai Fifor has welcomed the announcement by the US Department of Defense on Thursday, of the award of a contract for production of Romania's Patriot Air and Missile Defense System.
According to a press statement released by the Romanian Defence Ministry (MApN), under an agreement with the US Government, Romania will equip its armed forces with the latest configuration of the long-range surface-to-air Patriot missile system, the PAC-3 + configuration, which hardware and software design were upgraded in 2017.
The Patriot system is the world's most advanced ground-based missile launcher system, being tested and refined in combat over 20 years of operational service, built on over 3,200 ground tests, 1,500 flight tests and multiple operations, during which over 100 real combat interceptions were recorded.
The Government of Romania is meeting its commitment pledged under its governance programme, attaching utmost importance to the consolidation of the country's defence capability and acting for the achievement of the major objectives in the area of equipping, as well as training the troops, according to MApN.
"For the second consecutive year, the budget allocated for defence spending is 2 percent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), which in absolute terms means a significant increase, taking into account the economic growth ratio reflected in GDP."
It is also shown that the percentage spent on military acquisitions in 2017 placed Romania on the first place in the North Atlantic Alliance, with 33 percent, with the country ranking first in terms of increases in defence spending in 2017, as against the previous year.
"The Romanian government reconfirms its substantive commitment to fulfilling Romania's obligations on all important topics on the NATO agenda, based on the national decision to ensure the budgetary resources needed to modernise and strengthen the national defence capabilities. For adequate financing of the acquisition of equipment and essential technology for the armed forces and revitalising existing systems of military equipment and technology, which were addressed with priority last year and throughout this year, Romania demonstrates that it is fulfilling its obligations as a member of NATO and that it is a credible and predictable ally in this region of Europe," according to MApN.
The U.S. Army has awarded Raytheon Company a 395.8-USD million contract for production of Romania's Patriot Air and Missile Defense System, according to a press statement released by the company on Friday.
Raytheon's Patriot (TM) is a missile defense system consisting of radars, command-and-control technology and multiple types of interceptors, all working together to detect, identify and defeat tactical ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, drones, advanced aircraft and other threats.
Announced by the Department of Defense on May 24, the contract calls for Raytheon to build Romania's first brand-new Patriot fire unit.