New Patriot missile system for Romania

The U.S. Department of Defense has awarded a $946 million contract to arms company Raytheon Technologies (RTX) to supply Romania with additional Patriot air defense systems, The Defense Post reported Friday.   The contract is set to expire on December 31, 2029. The military website notes that the deal will mark the third delivery of Patriot systems to Romania by the U.S., following previous purchases in 2017 and 2020.   The new contract awarded by the Pentagon to Raytheon Technologies, one of the world’s largest arms companies, will cover firing units, which include advanced radars, control stations and interceptor missiles.   In a statement sent to The Defense Post, RTX Vice President for Global Patriot Pete Bata emphasized that the new contract will allow the NATO country to better protect its citizens and critical infrastructure amid escalating threats in the region.   He described Romania’s continued investment in the Patriot as a “testament to the nation’s dedication to ensuring collective security, deterrence, and stability across Europe.” “[RTX] is committed to providing Romania with advanced integrated air and missile defense capabilities,” he added.   RTX said it will collaborate with local defense companies to ensure a seamless supply chain for the Romanian Patriots. Raytheon also said it will work with local arms companies to ensure an adequate supply chain for Patriot systems destined for Romania. “Patriot is the basis of air defense for 19 countries, and the system continues to demonstrate its effectiveness against advanced air threats and massive complex attacks,” Raytheon Technologies said.   The announcement regarding the award of the contract was published on the website of the Department of Defense in Washington, which notes that the deadline for its completion is December 31, 2029. (Photo:https://www.rtx.com/raytheon/what-we-do/integrated-air-and-missile-defense/global-patriot-solutions)