RTX to produce new Patriot air defense system for Romania

24 December, 2024 Patriot PAC-2 of Romania. Photo credits: Ministry of Defense of Romania The American company RTX has signed a contract to produce new Patriot air defense systems for Romania.

The U.S. Department of Defense reported signing a contract worth £946.5 million with the company. The initial tranche of funding in the amount of £464 million has already been allocated earlier.

Deliveries under this contract are scheduled to be completed by the end of December 2029. So far, neither party has disclosed any additional details on the terms of the agreement.

Launchers of the Patriot system. June 2024.

Germany. Photo credits: Office of the President of Ukraine

The Romanian Air Force currently operates three Patriot air defense systems purchased in a previous procurement campaign. The fourth air defense system was transferred to Ukraine in October as part of military assistance.

Previously, it was reported that Norway would compensate Romania for the transfer of Patriot to Ukraine. The country provided Patriot systems in the most advanced PAC-3+ configuration, which can effectively intercept ballistic missiles. Back in 2017, Romania signed an agreement with the United States to purchase Patriot PAC-3+ systems within the Foreign Military Sales program.

Patriot air defense system of the German armed forces.

Photo credits: Ministry of Defense of the Federal Republic of Germany

This system version 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.

In December, it was reported that the Ukrainian government wants to obtain licenses from the United States to produce Patriot air defense systems in Ukraine.