US approves possible Patriot air-defence system sale to Romania to replace one donated to Ukraine

Romania received its first Patriot air-defence system during a ceremony at the National Air Defence Training Centre ‘Brigadier General Ion Bungescu' at Capu Midia on 17 September 2020. (Romanian MND)

The US Department of State has approved a possible US Foreign Military Sale (FMS) of a Patriot air-defence system to Romania, the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) announced in a press release on 28 April. The Romanian Ministry of National Defence (MApN) said in a press release on 29 April that the system would replace one donated to Ukraine in September 2024.

The DSCA said the Romanian government had requested one AN/MPQ-65 Configuration 3+ Increment 3 radar set, one AN/MSQ-132 Engagement Control Station, two M903 launching stations, and one Electrical Power Plant (EPP) III. Other equipment includes launching station modification kits; a Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) Missile Segment Enhancement (MSE) launcher conversion kit; generators and their spare parts; prime movers and their spare parts; a KG-250X encryptor; an AN/TPX-57v1 identification friend-or-foe (IFF) system; a KIV-77 encryptor; personnel communication equipment training; Defense Advanced GPS Receivers (DAGRs); US government and contractor representative technical assistance; engineering and logistics support services; publications and technical documentation; classified software, books, and publications; and other related elements of logistics and programme support.

Better deal

The MApN said the system's AN/MPQ-65 radar set is an updated version of the one donated to Ukraine and valued the sale at USD262 million, USD18 million less than the maximum level given by the DSCA. The agency explained, “The description and dollar value are for the highest estimated quantity and dollar value based on initial requirements. Actual dollar value will be lower depending on final requirements, budget authority, and signed sales agreement(s), if and when concluded.”