Hans Klemm: Purchase of Patriot missiles by Romania has profound impact

Georgeta Gheorghe 25/07/2017 | 15:35

According to US Ambassador to Romania Hans Klemm, Romania’s purchasing Patriot missiles has a profound impact and will contribute to the defence of neighbouring countries and NATO as a whole. 

At the beginning of the year, “Romania, the Ministry of Defence, started negotiations with the United States on the purchase of Patriot missiles batteries and the process had to be endorsed by the US and other agencies of the US government,” Hans Klemm said during an interview with state broadcaster TVR.

“It is part of a process that I am sure will lead ultimately to Romania’s purchasing these capabilities the Patriot rockets are offering”, Klemm said.

According to the US diplomat, the impact of this purchase will be a “profound” one. “It will offer protection in the case of aggressive air attacks not only to Romania, but indirectly, will contribute to the defence of neighbouring countries as well as of the entire NATO Alliance,” Klemm said on the defensive capabilities of the missiles.

Hans Klemm also said the measure was part of Romania’s commitment to invest 2 percent of the GDP for defence, “a commitment the US if strongly supporting.”

“The Patriot missiles are not the only equipment Romania will purchase as part of this commitment to allocate 2 percent, however they represent a vital component of Romania’s decision to improve its defence,” he added.

Asked whether he expects the move to create tensions in Romania’s relationship with Russia, Klemm said: “There is absolutely no reason for that to happen, the capabilities Romania is purchasing are strictly defensive.”

The US State Department approved two weeks ago a possible sale of Patriot missiles defence systems to Romania valued at USD 3.9 billion. The main contractors are Raytheon Co and Lockheed Martin Corp, according to the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency.

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