Raytheon official: Romania to get the latest Patriot configuration, also used by the US Army

Raytheon US company will deliver the latest configuration of Patriot defense system to Romania, which is also used by the U.S. Army, while Romanian experts will have the chance to contribute to the system’s optimization and modernization in the near future, the Raytheon country manager, Mike Ellison has announced in Bucharest on Wednesday, within a press conference occasioned by the BSDA exhibition. Defence Minister Mihai Fifor and US Ambassador Hans Klemm attended the opening as well.

Raytheon, the US company which is producing the Patriot systems, has issued a call for tender to Aerostar Bacau in early March this year, asking the Romanian company to provide further information on the pieces for the Patriot defense system that might be produced in Bacau.

According to the Raytheon representative, Mike Ellison, the Patriot system has been designed to be constantly upgraded and improved so that it should respond the most advanced threats. He informed that Romania would receive the latest configuration, also used by the American military.

He added that Romania will receive absolutely new anti-missile and air defence systems, which will have hardware and software components added in 2017. According to him, the U.S. Army has pledged to use the system until 2048 at least.

Moreover, a Romanian delegation will take part, next to other 24 foreign delegations, in a top level meeting due in the USA this month, where Romanian specialists will work next to air defence experts from around the world, to optimize the Patriot systems. These countries form the Patriot Partnership, and a new member is welcomed to join the club after it buys a Patriot system.

Ellison also underlined that the partnership between Romania and Raytheon plays an essential role in strengthening the NATO eastern flank, against the delicate moment Europe is going through.

Europe is currently facing the highest challenges on security since the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989, he argued.

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