A Patriot missile heads toward a target June 14, 2024, at Capu Midia range in Romania. During the NATO drill Ramstein Legacy, some 1,300 allied troops focused on shooting down targets and testing NATO’s ability to counter missile attacks. (Facebook/Bogdan Pantilimon/Romanian Defense Ministry)
The U.S. Patriot system was put to the test in a recent Black Sea live-fire exercise that marked a step forward for Romanian forces, who have made the advanced anti-missile weapon a centerpiece of their arsenal.
During the NATO drill Ramstein Legacy, which wrapped up Friday, some 1,300 allied troops focused on shooting down targets and testing the alliance’s ability to counter missile attacks.
For Romania, the exercise also was a chance to certify the readiness of a tracking radar, which was involved in a successful intercept of a target at the coastal Capu Midia range.
Ramstein Legacy, conducted over 11 days, also brought together troops from the Czech Republic, France, Germany, Hungary, Lithuania, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia and Turkey.
Since Russia’s 2022 full-scale attack on Ukraine, bolstering air defenses in Europe has been a top U.S. military priority.
The U.S. Embassy in Romania said during the course of the drills, Romanian troops demonstrated the technical expertise needed to defend against advanced air threats.
“The successful conclusion of exercise Ramstein Legacy proves that Romania has the air defense capabilities to protect Romanian citizens and territory,” the embassy said in a statement.
U.S. troops have played a key role in training Romanian soldiers on the Patriot system for several years. In November, Romania conducted its first live-fire test on the system.
In 2020, Romania’s military received its first of seven Patriot systems as part of a $3.9 billion acquisition. Following that purchase, a team of U.S. Army instructors provided assistance.
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 qualified.
But there have been exceptions. Last year, a contingent of Ukrainian troops received fast-tracked training that had them firing Patriots against Russian targets within months.
