Romania's military gets first U.S. Patriot missile shipment

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BUCHAREST, Romania (AP) - Romania´s armed forces received their first shipment of U.S. Patriot surface-to-air missiles on Thursday, part of efforts to upgrade the country´s military capabilities.

The missiles made by defense contractor Raytheon, as well as recent purchases of F-16 fighter jets, are also part of Romania´s pledge to gradually increase military spending to 2% of GDP by 2024, the minimum level demanded for NATO members. In 2018, U.S. President Donald Trump called on NATO members to increase defense spending to 4% of GDP.

Romania´s prime minister said the missiles made the country safer.

"The strategic partnership between the U.S. and Romania is further materialized in a military and economic relationship that is beneficial to Romania," Ludovic Orban said.

Since 2016, Romania has hosted a U.S. ballistic missile system at the Deveselu military base, in the country´s south.

Russia has criticized the deployment of the defense system but Washington says it is needed to ensure the safety of NATO members from potential attacks by Iran.

 
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