In the fall of 2024, Romania handed over its Patriot surface-to-air missile (SAM) system to Ukraine. Since then, Romania has faced the question of whether it needs a similar air defense system to replace it. It should be noted that some European countries tried to raise funds for Romania to purchase a new Patriot system, but they failed to collect the approximately one billion dollars required.
The situation has developed further. The United States has authorized the sale of one Patriot fire unit to Romania, but there are two nuances. The first is the unusually low price of $262 million, and the second is the system's incomplete configuration, which includes only two launchers.
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According to Defense Romania, the composition of this fire unit for the Romanian Armed Forces will include two M903 launchers, a fire control section, and an upgraded AN/MPQ-65 radar.
It is also noted that the initial cost for this system was expected to be $280 million, but a $12 million "discount" was obtained during the process.
The fact that Romania received permission to purchase a new Patriot fire unit is seen positively by Romanians, as it will help restore capabilities lost after the transfer of the SAM system to Ukraine. In this case, we are referring to a supposedly more advanced version of the Patriot system, which will now be received by the Romanian army.
Another nuance involves the financial factor. Defense Romania explains that European countries were able to raise only $270 million to compensate for the Romanian Patriot system transferred to Ukraine. At the same time, only three countries made contributions, of which only two were disclosed: Norway ($127 million) and the Netherlands (figures not disclosed).
It turns out that Europe has not managed to raise enough money to compensate for the transfer of even one Patriot SAM system to the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
Earlier, Defense Express reported that Romania produces 55 million rounds annually and is launching production of 155 mm shells.
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