SocDem chairman Dragnea slams Chief of Staff statement on Patriot missile purchase

Social Democrat chairman Liviu Dragnea slammed the statements made by Chief of Staff, general Nicolae Ciuca, about Romania’s intention to buy Patriot missiles.

Dragnea said he didn’t like Ciuca’s statement and that he expected “very much rigor” from the general, considering the position he has. Dragnea explained that the parliamentary procedures for the Patriot acquisitions haven’t been concluded yet.

“I didn’t like the statement made by the Chief of Staff who has already announced that Patriot missiles would be purchased. Have they concluded the procedures yet? Isn’t it better to wait for the course of the procedures? He is the Chief of Staff and I expect very much rigor from him (…) I think it’s better to have less statements and more action,” Dragnea said.

Chief of Staff, general Nicolae Ciuca has announced in a press conference in Smârdan on Thursday that Romania intends to buy American Patriot missiles, within the army endowment project.  A joint Romanian-American military exercise is ongoing in Smârdan.

However, Ciuca didn’t reaveal anything about the number of the missiles to be bought and offered no details about the purchase.

Defense Secretary of State Florin Lazar Vladica said in his turn that the ministry has sent a request to ODISI. “We hope to have an answer as soons as possible for the Patriot missiles and for the HIMARS systems. We’ll soon come to a decision also for the armoured-clads 8×8 at least for the first 94, soon, this year,” Vladica had stated.