Romania approves transfer of Patriot air defense system to Ukraine

The coalition government of Romania approved a draft law on Monday, September 2, that permits Ukraine to transfer one of its two active Patriot anti-missile defense systems.

Reuters reports this.

The bill was sent to the parliament for a final vote. Reuters notes that this step is part of Romania's obligations as a NATO member to support Ukraine in resisting Russian aggression.

It is noted that this decision is part of the delivery of 5 such systems and other strategic air defense units, which NATO countries promised to Kyiv.

"After the parliament approves the law, the government will be able to issue a decision that makes the donation operational," Romanian government spokesman Mihai Constantin said.

According to the proposed legislation, Romania will send proposals and approvals to the US to replace the current system with a new one, which will then be provided to Ukraine. The country anticipates paying around $60 million in taxes and fees for this change.

For reference:

In 2017, Romania entered into an agreement with the US to buy seven Patriot systems. Delivery of these systems to the country began in 2020. Currently, Romania has four batteries of the Patriot PAC–3 air defense systems, two of which are already in use.

In June 2024, the Romanian government agreed to transfer the Patriot system to Ukraine so that NATO allies could replace it with an analog.

On August 30, the Ministry of Defense of Romania sent the corresponding draft law on the transfer of the Patriot air defense system to Ukraine to the parliament.

At the same time, Romania personally felt the need to continue helping Ukraine to strengthen its air defense system against the background of full-scale Russian aggression. Fragments of Russian drones repeatedly landed on its territory, and an air raid alert was declared in the Romanian border regions.