Romania cleared by US State Department to acquire Sentinel air defence radars

The US State Department has approved a possible Foreign Military Sale (FMS) to Romania of Sentinel radar systems and related equipment, the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) announced on 7 October 2024.

The proposed sale, which is worth an estimated USD 110 million (EUR 100.6 million), has been passed to the US Congress for final approval.

Romania has requested to buy four AN/MPQ-64 F1 Sentinel systems, which are X-band electronically steered pulse-Doppler 3D radars used to alert and queue short-range air defence systems.

The following non-Major Defense Equipment (MDE) items are also included in the package: IPS 250X High Assurance Internet Protocol Encryptors (HAIPE); KIV-77 identification friend-or-foe (IFF) crypto appliqué with Mode 5 and Mode S capability; AN/PSN-13 Defense Advanced GPS Receivers (DAGRs) with Selective Availability Anti-Spoofing Modules (SAASM); AN/PYQ-10 simple key loaders; support equipment; spare and repair parts, consumables, accessories and repair and return support; classified software; classified command-and-control systems and communications and data supply systems; prime movers; new equipment training; weapon system support and test equipment; publications and technical documentation; plus various aspects of training, engineering, technical, logistics and programme support.

“The proposed sale will improve Romania’s capability to meet current and future threats by providing a credible force that is capable of deterring adversaries and participating in NATO operations,” the DSCA stated.

The principal contractor for the sale will be RTX Corporation out of its facilities in Andover, Massachusetts.