Romania welcomes first Patriot system
The Romanian Ministry of National Defence (MND) held a reception ceremony on 17 September for its first Patriot SAM system.
The event took place at the National Training Centre for Air Defence, where acceptance testing is being carried out.
‘By equipping [itself with] Patriot long-range surface-to-air missile systems, the Romanian Army will increase its defensive and deterrent capacity, ensuring a better defence of the national [and NATO] airspace,’ the MND noted in a statement.
Romania is the seventh NATO country to acquire Patriot missile systems but the first in the Black Sea region.
Core components of the first Patriot system arrived in Romania last month and acceptance tests are scheduled for completion in October.
In all, Romania is receiving seven Patriot systems plus missiles and associated equipment under an FMS deal with Raytheon and Lockheed Martin.
The deal also includes maintenance, logistics support and training.
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