WASHINGTON — Lockheed Martin has won a $944 million contract to deliver Patriot Advanced Capability-3 and PAC-3 Missile Segment Enhancement missiles to the United States and allies, according to a Dec. 21 company statement.

The Missile Segment Enhancement builds on PAC-3 capability by using a two-pulse solid rocket motor, which boosts the interceptor’s range and altitude.

The Lockheed statement specifically names Romania as one of the recipients of the missiles, but also includes the U.S. Army and other foreign military sales customers.

In late November, Romania sealed the deal to buy seven Patriot air-and-missile defense batteries to include 168 PAC-3 MSE interceptors. Romania is the 14th Patriot customer worldwide.

[Poland has sticker shock over ‘unacceptable’ price tag for Patriot buy]

Poland is also expected to be a Patriot customer soon, with contract negotiations underway. The State Department in November cleared a potential sale to Poland that included 208 PAC-3 MSE missiles. However, a top defense official told Defense News that there is concern over the price of those weapons.

Five PAC-3 interceptors recently took out four tactical ballistic missile targets in a test at White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico, that will pave the way for a full-rate production decision for the MSE variant.

Jen Judson is an award-winning journalist covering land warfare for Defense News. She has also worked for Politico and Inside Defense. She holds a Master of Science degree in journalism from Boston University and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Kenyon College.

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