Romania Receives First Patriot Missile Defense System from Raytheon

A Romanian missile test of the 4R51 Rubezh. (Wikimedia Commons)

The Romanian government started expanding its air defense system in an attempt to modernize its military. Romania received its first Patriot surface-to-air missile defense system from Raytheon, an American military defense company, in a ceremony at Capu Midia on September 17.

In 2017, the Romanian military initially formed a deal with Raytheon as part of an initiative to increase Romana’s defense capabilities. At the time, Bucharest also committed to dedicating 2 percent of its GDP to military spending. 

Romanian President Klaus Iohannis clarified that Romania’s decision was not based on any aggressive policies, stating, “We should see why these procurements are made. We’re not preparing to attack anyone. We’re preparing to be better-equipped, for our armed forces to benefit from modern, efficient equipment (…) in order to guarantee Romanians’ security.” 

The missile defense program delivered on September 17 will not become functional until 2021 after an initial training period. This missile defense system exists as the first of seven, four of which will be delivered before 2022, and the remaining three before 2024. The first missile defense system alone cost $910 million. In total, the contract with Raytheon is worth $3.9 billion. 

Romania increased its military spending in response to Russia’s greater involvement in the Black Sea region. In 2014, Russian forces illegally annexed Crimea, causing concern among Bucharest and its NATO allies about possible further Russian expansion.

Since then, Romania has become an important piece of the United States’ and NATO’s defense strategy in the region. Bucharest, in fact, just began a ten-year Army endowment program dedicated to increasing its defense capabilities. 

At the ceremony in Capu Midia, Romanian Prime Minister Ludovic Orban reaffirmed his government’s commitment to international alliances: “Romania has chosen very clearly, Romania has chosen to be a member of NATO, Romania has chosen the strategic partnership with the United States of America, Romania has chosen to be a member of the European Union. We are a loyal partner who observed all its commitments under these alliances, these partnerships.”

Currently, the United States is in the process of redirecting troops from Germany to Romania to support NATO defense strategies. The US military already possesses two bases in Romania and is currently considering converting former Soviet base Campia Turzii into a major center for Black Sea support patrols. 

Romania’s new missile defense system is only the beginning of its initiative to expand its military force. Through this program and other plans dedicated to maintaining peace in the Black Sea region, Bucharest demonstrates a commitment not only to its own protection, but also to the international agenda of its allies.