US Approves $4 Billion Patriot Missile Sale to Romania

US State Department has cleared $3.9 billion worth sale of seven Patriot missile defence systems for Romania.

The sale covers seven Patriot Configuration 3+ units, complete with radars, control station, antenna, launching stations and power plants. 

Also included are 56 Patriot MIM-104E Guidance Enhanced Missile-TBM missiles and 168 Patriot Advanced Capability-3 Missile Segment Enhancement missiles, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency announced Tuesday. 

Raytheon and Lockheed Martin will be the prime contractors. There is no timeline for when the work will be completed in the DSCA notification. 

Romania requested the Patriot systems back in April. Thirteen countries currently operate the system, with that number expected to grow.

Romania will use the Patriot missile system to strengthen its homeland defense and deter regional threats.

The proposed sale will increase the defensive capabilities of the Romanian military to guard against aggression and shield the NATO allies who often train and operate within Romania’s borders. Romania should have no difficulty absorbing this system into its armed forces.