US approves $280 million Patriot sale to Romania, funded by NATO allies

Romania plans to finance the acquisition of a US-made Patriot air defence system using grants provided by NATO member states, the country’s Ministry of Defence announced.

On April 28, the US State Department approved a potential sale of the Patriot High Mobility Air Defence System (SAM) to Romania worth $280 million, Caliber.Az reports, citing foreign media.

According to the Pentagon, supplying Romania with this system supports US foreign policy and national security goals by “enhancing the security of a NATO ally.”

"The leadership of the Ministry of National Defence welcomes the US State Department’s decision to approve the sale of the long-range Patriot air defence system to Romania... The system will be purchased using non-repayable external funds provided by a group of allied countries, as well as under the Immediate Air Defence Action initiative to compensate for capability gaps resulting from a previous donation," the ministry said in a statement on its website.

The ministry emphasised that acquiring this air defence system would strengthen Romania's ability to deter aggression in the Black Sea region.

In September, Romanian authorities approved the transfer of one of its Patriot systems to Ukraine. At the time, Romania had two operational Patriot batteries, with two more in the process of being activated.

On September 5, 2024, Romanian President Klaus Iohannis signed legislation approving the transfer of the Patriot missile system to Ukraine. By October 3, Romania’s Defence Ministry confirmed that the system had been delivered to Ukraine.

On January 3, Sweden allocated 300 million kronor (approximately €26 million) to help Romania replace the Patriot system it donated to Ukraine.

By Tamilla Hasanova