US set to approve $4bn Patriot missile sale to Romania

The US State Department said Tuesday it is ready to approve the sale of Patriot air defense systems to Romania, a $3.9 billion deal likely to infuriate Russia.

"The State Department has made a determination approving a possible foreign military sale to Romania for Patriot air defense systems, related support and equipment," the State Department said.

Congress has 30 days to raise objections to the sale, though this is unlikely given that Romania is a NATO partner with important geo-strategic access to the Black Sea, where Russia-seized Crimea is located.

"Romania will use the Patriot missile system to strengthen its homeland defense and deter regional threats," the State Department said.

"The proposed sale will increase the defensive capabilities of the Romanian military to guard against aggression and shield the NATO allies who often train and operate within Romania's borders."

The Patriot is a mobile air-defense system made by Raytheon and designed to intercept tactical ballistic missiles, low-flying cruise missiles and aircraft.

The possible sale comes as the US military temporarily deployed a Patriot battery in Lithuania as part of multinational NATO exercises in the Baltic country.

Moscow last year deployed nuclear-capable Iskander missiles into its Kaliningrad exclave, which borders Lithuania and Poland, rattling nearby NATO members.

Polish Ministry of Defense announces PAC-3 missile defense acquisition
Washington (UPI) Jul 6, 2017
The Polish Defense Minister announced Thursday that the United States will sell Patriot Advanced Capability-3 anti-ballistic missile systems to Poland as part of the country's Wisla air and missile defense program. "Signed memorandum states that the U.S. government agrees to sell Poland Patriot missile system in the latest configuration, such as the one used by the U.S. Army," Antoni Ma ... read more

Related Links
Learn about missile defense at SpaceWar.com
Learn about nuclear weapons doctrine and defense at SpaceWar.com
All about missiles at SpaceWar.com
Learn about the Superpowers of the 21st Century at SpaceWar.com

Thanks for being here; We need your help. The SpaceDaily news network continues to grow but revenues have never been harder to maintain. With the rise of Ad Blockers, and Facebook - our traditional revenue sources via quality network advertising continues to decline. And unlike so many other news sites, we don't have a paywall - with those annoying usernames and passwords. Our news coverage takes time and effort to publish 365 days a year. If you find our news sites informative and useful then please consider becoming a regular supporter or for now make a one off contribution.
SpaceDaily Contributor $5 Billed Oncecredit card or paypal		SpaceDaily Monthly Supporter $5 Billed Monthlypaypal only

Let's block ads! (Why?)

from Military Space News, Nuclear Weapons, Missile Defense http://ift.tt/2sT1AHa
via space News

Romania to purchase Patriot air defense system Washington (UPI) Jul 11, 2017 - NATO-ally Romania is seeking acquisition of Patriot air defense systems from the United States under a Foreign Military Sales deal worth $3.9 billion. The sales package, which has won approval from the State Department, was reported to Congress on Tuesday by the U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency, which manages the FMS program. "Romania will use the Patriot missile system to strengthen its homeland defense and deter regional threats," DSCA officials said in a press release. "The proposed sale will increase the defensive capabilities of the Romanian military to guard against aggression and shield the NATO allies who often train and operate within Romania's borders." Romania has asked for seven Patriot Configuration-3+ Modernized Fire Units, consisting of seven AN/MPQ-65 radar sets, seven AN/MSQ-132 engagement control stations, 13 antenna mast groups, 28 M903 launching stations and 56 Patriot MIM-104E Guidance Enhanced Missile-TBM missiles. Romania will also receive 168 Patriot Advanced Capabilty-3 Missile Segment Enhancement missiles, and seven Electrical Power Plants III, plus communications equipment, tools and test equipment, support, training equipment, spare and repair parts, personnel training and contractor technical, engineering, and logistics support services. The prime contractors will be Raytheon and Lockheed Martin. About 40 contractor representatives and 30 U.S. government personnel will be required to travel to Romania for equipment de-processing/fielding, system checkout, training, and other support services.