Romania’s second US missile system purchase, pending Congress approval
The US State Department has finished evaluating a potential sale of a High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) to Romania on August 17. It has also notified the US Congress, which needs to approve the sale.
The estimated value of this contract is of USD 1.25 billion, Mediafax reported.
The purchase of the HIMARS system is Romania’s second one of a US missile system, after the Patriot one. The US State Department approved this July the possible sale of Patriot missile defense systems to Romania, including technical support and equipment, with an estimated price tag of USD 3.9 billion. Romania could pay the first installment to acquire Patriot missiles in November.
After the sale is approved by the US Congress, technical negotiations to establish the final configuration of the purchase will take place. The talks will also include the involvement of Romania’s defense industry in providing production and maintenance equipment.
The HIMARS acquisition is part of the eight essential endowment programs of the Romanian Army between 2017 and 2026. As part of the HIMARS program, Romania has requested the purchase of 54 launch installations and auxiliary elements to endow three squadrons.
Romania’s interest in acquiring the HIMARS equipment came from the need for modern artillery equipment that would strengthen the capacity to defend the national territory and increase the interoperability degree with allied armies, the Defense Ministry said. “The HIMARS reliability rate and interoperability degree between the US and Allied forces reduce the final operational and maintenance costs,” the ministry said.
HIMARS was developed by Lockheed Martin. The purpose of HIMARS is to engage and defeat artillery, air defense concentrations, trucks, light armor and personnel carriers, as well as support troop and supply concentrations, according to army-technology.com.
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