Romania to Buy Patriot Missile Systems from the US

After Poland, Romania also chooses to purchase the Patriot. These two European countries host the US Aegis missile defense system

Romania plans to buy Patriot missile surface-to-air missile systems from US company Raytheon to help protect its airspace. The defense budget in Romania was 1.7 percent of its GDP in 2016 and was set at 2.0 percent this year.

The missiles would be part of an integrated air defense system comprising six newly acquired F-16 fighter jets from Portugal.

"Romania has announced their intent to enhance their defensive capability by procuring Patriot," a Raytheon spokesperson said. "Raytheon has a long-standing relationship with Romania and will work closely with the U.S. and Romanian governments to ensure this NATO partner achieves its defense objectives."

The size of the planned acquisition and the budget for it are still unknown.

[Source: Defense Watch]

Note: Romania's decision to purchase the Patriot system come after a similar move by Poland. These two states host the US Aegis missile defense system.