U.S. Approves Sale of Patriot Air Defense System to Romania, Replacing One Transferred to Ukraine

The U.S. Department of State has approved the potential sale of a Patriot air defense system and associated equipment to Romania.
The Defense Security Cooperation Agency of the U.S. Department of Defense announced this.

The new system is intended to replace the Patriot air defense system that was transferred to Ukraine in 2024.

The total value of the potential sale is estimated at approximately $280 million.

Sweden and Norway have provided part of the funding for this purchase to offset military assistance for the urgent strengthening of Ukraine’s air defense amid ongoing Russian attacks.

The potential sale includes one AN/MPQ-65 radar, one AN/MSQ-132 fire control station, two M903 launchers, as well as other related equipment, spare parts, and services, including personnel training.

The primary contractors to supply the new air defense system to Romania will be Raytheon (RTX) and Lockheed Martin.

It is noted that this sale will support the goals of U.S. foreign policy and national security by enhancing the security of the partner country.

Romanian Patriot for Ukraine

Last October, Ukraine received a Patriot air defense system provided by the Romanian government as part of international military assistance to counter the Russian invasion.

The country provided the most advanced Patriot PAC-3+, capable of effectively intercepting ballistic missiles. This version of the system is equipped with a more powerful second-generation AN/MPQ-65 radar, which has a longer detection range, better target identification, and ballistic missile tracking capabilities.

This happened within a month of President Klaus Iohannis signing a decree on September 5 to transfer the system to Ukraine free of charge.

In December, the American company RTX signed a contract to produce new Patriot air defense systems for Romania. The initial tranche of funding in the amount of $464 million has already been allocated earlier. Deliveries within this contract are scheduled to be completed by the end of December 2029.