The US State Department has approved the sale of Sentinel air surveillance radar systems for Romania, the US Embassy in Bucharest reported on Monday.

„The Government of Romania has requested to acquire up to four AN/MPQ-64 F1 Sentinel radar systems. The Sentinel is capable of detecting a broad range of airborne objects and will significantly enhance Romania’s ability to deter and defend against potential threats, ” according to a press statement released by the embassy.

The first two systems worth approximately USD 90 million will be primarily funded using grants from the U.S. State Department’s Foreign Military Financing (FMF) fund.

„Romania’s acquisition of the Sentinel radar system underscores the long-standing security partnership between our two countries. These radar systems will greatly increase the early warning for potential threats to Romanian cities and critical infrastructure, and better protect the territory and citizens of Romania. The acquisition of the Sentinel improves the security of Romania, our NATO Ally and an important force for political and economic stability in Europe,” US ambassador in Bucharest Kathleen Kavalec is quotes as saying in the statement.

AGERPRES