Romania to Buy Four Sentinel Radar Systems From US for $90 Million to Enhance Protection of Skies

The US Department of State has approved the sale of Sentinel air surveillance radar systems to Romania. This is reported on the website of the Office of Military Cooperation of the US Department of Defence.

The Romanian government has requested the purchase of up to four Sentinel AN/MPQ-64 F1 radar systems.

The total cost is approximately $90 million, and the first two systems will be funded by grants from the US Department of State's Foreign Military Financing Fund.

‘Romania's acquisition of the Sentinel radar system underscores the long-term security partnership between the two countries. These radar systems will greatly enhance early warning of potential threats to Romania's cities and critical infrastructure and better protect Romania's territory and citizens,’ said U.S. Ambassador Kathleen Kavalets.

Despite its short range, the Sentinel system effectively helps air defences to engage incoming threats such as missiles and UAVs.

‘The acquisition of the Sentinel improves the security of Romania, our NATO ally and an important force for political and economic stability in Europe,’ the ambassador added.

The AN/MPQ-64 Sentinel is an electronically controlled 3D X-band radar used to warn and target SHORAD (Short Range Air Defence) of the location of incoming enemy targets.

The antenna provides phase-frequency electronic scanning, forming a three-dimensional picture of a large surveillance area, which is mounted on a platform that rotates to scan the space 360 degrees.

Sentinel radar systems are deployed in the forward air defence units of the US Army and a number of other countries, including Ukraine.

The maximum range is 75 km, but effective operation is limited to 40 km.

It was first introduced in 1995 as a component of the NASAMS air defence system from the Norwegian company Kongsberg. It is now manufactured by Raytheon Missiles & Defence.