The Ministry of Defense is seeking parliamentary approval for a major new purchase: 200 PAC-2 GEM-T missiles for the Patriot anti-aircraft systems already in service with the armed forces. The program is valued at more than €1 billion, and an advance of 35% must be paid between now and the end of 2023 or in the first three months of 2024.

“The purpose of the acquisition is to partially equip the combat stockpile with 200 PAC-2 GEM-T missiles,” MApN’s request to Parliament states, stating that “the acquisition is being carried out through NATO’s Support and Acquisition Agency using the ESSI (European Sky Shield Initiative) ; procurement is carried out by the NATO Support and Procurement Agency through a purchase contract with COMLOG/Germany for the production of missiles and through an FMS (Foreign Military Sales) agreement of the LOA (Letter of Offer and Acceptance) type with the United States Government for the approval of missiles manufactured in Europe”.

• “The maximum price per unit is approx. €5,444,750 again excluding VAT the total estimated cost of the entire set of 200 missiles is 1,088,950,000 euros without VAT (includes spare parts, related services and FMS costs) and will be precisely established after initiation of procurement contract procedures; initial advance, approx. 35% of the estimated total cost of the entire package must be paid in 2023 or in the first quarter of the year,” the Ministry of Education and Culture said in a statement.

PAC 2 GEM-T missiles can hit targets at a distance of up to 160 km

The PAC-2 GEM-T missiles are the most advanced versions of the PAC-2 missiles, which can engage various types of targets, from enemy aircraft, drones or helicopters to cruise or, in particular, tactical ballistic missiles.

The PAC 2 GEM-T missile has a range of about 160 kilometers and a maximum flight range of 32,000 meters.

The missiles use semi-active radar guidance and destroy targets by detonating near them.

The PAC-2 GEM-T missiles are also the largest of the APtriot system in terms of size, as a maximum of four can be installed per launcher.

Ukraine successfully used the Patriot PAC-2 missile system, in one case managing to strike a huge blow against Russian aircraft: at least four tanks were shot down in a matter of minutes. With the help of PAC-2 missiles fired from the territory of Ukraine, Kyiv troops shot down an SU-24 bomber, an SU-35S fighter and two Mi-8 military helicopters in Russia. In addition, with Patriot, Ukraine would be able to intercept saturation attacks, including the famous Russian hypersonic missiles “Kinzhal”.

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• PHOTO VIDEO What the first launch of the Romanian Patriot complex missile looked like: the target was hit 60 km away

Romanian PATRIOT systems

Patriot system, is the newest and most expensive system in service with the Romanian army. Romania paid about $3.9 billion for seven new Patriot anti-aircraft systems in the latest available configuration, complete with several hundred interceptors. To date, four Patriot systems have been delivered.

The first PATRIOT system was delivered to the Romanian Air Force in 2020, and since 2021 it has been performing specific air defense and anti-missile defense tasks in Romanian and NATO airspace.

The 2nd PATRIOT system was delivered during 2022, acceptance tests and reception were carried out last December and it has already entered service with the 74th PATRIOT regiment. The 3rd and 4th PATRIOT systems were received in 2022 and 2023.

Photo: Romanian Patriot system with PAC-2 GEMT missile launcher / Source: Inquam Photos / George Călin

Romania purchased 7 Patriot missile systems in the 3+ configuration with the following components:

– 7 AN/MPQ-65 radars

– 7 battle control stations AN/MSQ-132

– 13 antenna-mast groups

– 28 M903 launchers (which can carry and launch 4 PAC-2 GEMT missiles or 12 PAC-3 MSE missiles)

– 56 PAC-2 Guidance Enhanced Missile-TBM (GEM-T) missiles

– 168 PAC-3 Missile Segment Enhancement (MSE) missiles.

– 7 electric stations (EU) III