Romania agrees to purchase Raytheon’s Patriot missile defense system

Romania agreed to purchase Raytheon Co.’s Patriot integrated air and missile defense system from the U.S. Army on Wednesday, a move that sets the stage for contract negotiations between Raytheon and the U.S. government.

Under the letter of offer and acceptance that the Romanian government agreed to, Romania would purchase the Patriot Configuration 3+ and an undisclosed number of GEM-T and PAC-3 interceptor missiles.

The deal would enable Romania to realize its NATO commitment to spend 2 percent of gross domestic product on defense. The interceptors would also enable Romania to head-off current and future security threats in the region.

“With its newly built Patriot capability, Romania’s military will have the ability to defend Romania and its NATO allies,” Tom Laliberty, vice president of integrated air and missile defense at Raytheon, said. “Patriot will also enable Romanian air defenders to train, exercise and interoperate with their U.S. and European counterparts.”

Currently, 13 nations use the Patriot missile defense system. The United States, Germany, Greece, the Netherlands and Spain are among those nations.

“This procurement will create jobs in both the U.S. and Romania,” Laliberty said. “Raytheon is developing long-term relationships with Romanian companies to help us build and sustain Romania’s Patriot fleet.”