Capu Midia: The first real firing tests with the Patriot missiles included in the equipment of the Romanian Air Force

In the Capu Midia range, tests took place today with the first Patriot surface-to-air missile system, entered into the equipment of the Romanian Air Force in 2020 and which was operationalized.

The President of the Senate, Nicolae Ciuca, the Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu, as well as the Minister of National Defense, Angel Tilvar, attended the exercise.

In the Capu Midia training ground, the first full firing by the 74th Patriot Regiment took place.

The first Patriot system supplied to the Romanian Army, fully operational, fired a shot at a real target, simulated by a drone.

-: Control confirms to us that the target at this moment has been destroyed.

Reporter: The launch of the third missile was repeated due to technical problems in the communication between the control cabin and one of the launchers.

Romania acquired the most modern surface-to-air missile system, in service worldwide, capable of identifying, tracking and neutralizing any type of aerial threat.

Chief of the Defense Staff, General Daniel Petrescu: It is a capability that we verify and certify. You have seen the successful launch of two rockets, you have also seen the difficulties of the beginning. It is the first real firing executed by the first system that entered the equipment of the regiment. It is added to the entire integrated effort of the Romanian Army, carried out this year to build concrete capabilities and for a reinforced defense and deterrence posture.

Reporter: So far, four Patriot systems have entered the Air Force equipment. Three other systems will later be delivered to the Romanian Army, the total value of the purchase being four billion dollars.

Translated by: Radu Matei