The Romanian army's 74th Patriot Regiment fires a Patriot missile at the Capu Midia range in Romania, Nov. 14, 2023. A series of launches were the country's first live-fire tests of the system, the U.S. Army said this week. (U.S. Army Security Assistance Command)
Romania’s collaboration with U.S. Army trainers triggered the country’s first ever live-fire test of the American-made Patriot missile system, the service said in a statement this week.
With help from U.S. Army Security Assistance Command, the Romanian 74th Patriot Regiment performed a series of launches last month at the Capu Midia firing range, along the Black Sea coast, according to the Monday statement.
“Romania made history, bolstering regional security and NATO’s southeastern flank,” the statement said.
The two-day exercise, which consisted of four demonstrations, served as a milestone for Romania’s efforts to advance its air defense capabilities.
Since the 74th received its first of seven Patriot systems in 2020, part of a $3.9 billion acquisition, a team of Army instructors was assembled to provide assistance.
Currently, the U.S. is helping Romania train the second of seven firing units.
Operating the Patriot system — which includes launching stations, advanced radars and other complex equipment — requires extensive training. Typically, it takes several years for a unit to become fully operational and qualified, the Army said.
Still, there have been exceptions. Earlier this year, a contingent of Ukrainian air defense operations wrapped up Army Patriot training in just a couple of months and was back on the battlefield defending the country from Russian forces.
“Romania’s position along the Black Sea, its 380-mile border with Ukraine, and security partnership with the United States make it a critical ally to the U.S. and Europe,” the Army statement said.
Incorporation of the Patriot missiles into the fighting formation is one of numerous advances Romania has made in recent years to modernize its force.
The former Eastern Bloc country is one of a handful of NATO members to meet the benchmark of spending 2% of gross domestic product on defense. In November, Romania also received approval to buy 54 Abrams tanks worth $2.5 billion.
