Memorandum of Understanding has been signed to manufacture SkyCeptor interceptor missiles in the country
On May 4, 2022, the Romanian authorities signed a memorandum between the National Company ROMARM, Electromecanica Ploiesti and Raytheon Missiles & Defense, a document according to which Electromecanica Ploiești and Raytheon will manufacture SkyCeptor interceptor missiles in Romania.
At the signing of the memorandum (MoU) were attending Wesley D. Kremer, President of the American company Raytheon, Minister of Economy Florin Spătaru, Minister of National Defence Vasile Dîncu, Gabriel Țuțu, CEO of ROMARM and the management of Electromecanica S.A.
The missiles will be manufactured at the ROMARM subsidiary in Ploiesti and will be delivered to the domestic and foreign markets, Minister of Economy, Florin Spătaru stated during the signing ceremony.
This memorandum is of great importance for the defense industry, a fact also underlined by Gabriel Țuțu, CEO of ROMARM, at the press conference. "Today's project is a first step towards reviving the production of military missiles in Romania (...), and by signing this MoU today, with one of the world's largest missile manufacturers, we are in line with the plan that the Ministry of Economy together with ROMARM has proposed to reinvigorate the production of military missiles and not only".
SkyCeptor interceptor missiles are adapted for the Patriot missile defense system
A version of the hit-to-kill Stunner missile, the SkyCeptor interceptor is being developed to defeat short- and medium-range ballistic and cruise missiles and other advanced air defense threats, according to information posted on Raytheon's website.
SkyCeptor is an advanced multi-mission interceptor designed for “plug-and-play” insertion into Patriot or other air and missile defense systems.
In other terms, "SkyCeptor is a low-cost, long-range interceptor designed to protect against ballistic and cruise missiles and is intended for future integration with the Air & Missiles Defense system." said in his turn Wesley D. Kremer, President of Raytheon.
Romania is developing its defense industry: the pros of the new partnership
According to the Minister of Economy, the MoU is just a first step in the development of the long-term strategic partnership between Electromecanica Ploiesti, ROMARM and Raytheon.
"Romania will become the first country to be able to field the newest version of the Patriot anti-aircraft and missile defence system produced by Raytheon Missiles & Defense, a division of Raytheon Technologies," Economy Minister Florin Spătaru said at the signing ceremony at Electromecanica Ploiesti headquarters. For his part, the Minister of National Defence, Vasile Dîncu said that "...Electromecanica Ploiești is a partner and can be a partner for such an important player in the global defence market. Raytheon Technologies is for the Ministry of National Defence a very important partner, we have a lot of acquisition projects, we have exceptional collaborations with one of the most important players in the global defence industry market".
At the conference, Raytheon Missiles & Defense President Wesley D. Kramer, said he welcomed the signing of the MoU of understanding, which strengthens the long-term partnership with The Romanian Government in the field of defence, and Minister of National Defence Vasile Dîncu said that the Romanian defence industry has "all the internal energies" to become again an important piece of the national economy.
The MoU is just a first step in the development of the long-term strategic partnership between Electromecanica Ploiești, ROMARM and Raytheon.
Raytheon Missiles & Defense, a strategic partner
Raytheon Missiles & Defense is one of four divisions of the Raytheon Technologies. Headquartered in Tucson, Arizona, the company manufactures a broad portfolio of advanced technologies, including air and missile defense systems, precision weapons, radars and command and control systems.
For ROMARM and Electromecanica Ploiesti, but also for ROMANIA, the MoU is just a first step in the development of the long-term strategic partnership with Raytheon, said Economy Minister Florin Spătaru at the signing ceremony.
