The government of Romania has signed an agreement to purchase Raytheon’s combat-proven Patriot™ Integrated Air and Missile Defense System from the U.S. Army.
The agreement, formally referred to as a Letter of Offer and Acceptance, paves the way for Romania’s Patriot force to rapidly reach initial operational capability, and sets the stage for the U.S. government to begin contract negotiations with Raytheon.
Patriot is a purely defensive system that is the backbone of NATO’s defense against ballistic and cruise missiles, advanced aircraft and drones. Romania’s procurement of the system will help the country meet its NATO commitment to spend at least 2 percent of its gross domestic product on defense.
“With its newly built Patriot capability, Romania’s military will have the ability to defend Romania and its NATO allies. Patriot will also enable Romanian air defenders to train, exercise and interoperate with their U.S. and European counterparts,” said Tom Laliberty, Raytheon Vice President of Integrated Air and Missile Defense.
Thirteen other nations depend on Patriot to protect their citizens and armed forces, including the U.S. and four other European nations: Germany, Greece, the Netherlands and Spain.
“This procurement will create jobs in both the U.S. and Romania. Raytheon is developing long-term relationships with Romanian companies to help us build and sustain Romania’s Patriot fleet,” Laliberty added.
Romania will receive the Patriot Configuration 3+, the most advanced configuration available, as well as an undisclosed quantity of GEM-T and PAC-3 MSE interceptor missiles. These interceptors will enable Romania’s military to defeat current and emerging threats.
Raytheon Company, with 2016 sales of $24 billion and 63,000 employees, is a technology and innovation leader specializing in defense, civil government and cybersecurity solutions.
With a history of innovation spanning 95 years, Raytheon provides state-of-the-art electronics, mission systems integration, C5ITM products and services, sensing, effects, and mission support for customers in more than 80 countries.
Raytheon is headquartered in Waltham, Massachusetts
