BUCHAREST, Romania (AP) — Romania’s armed forces received their first shipment of U.S. Patriot surface-to-air missiles on Thursday, part of efforts to upgrade the country’s military capabilities.

The missiles made by defense contractor Raytheon, as well as recent purchases of F-16 fighter jets, are also part of Romania’s pledge to gradually increase military spending to 2% of GDP by 2024, the minimum level demanded for NATO members. In 2018, U.S. President Donald Trump called on NATO members to increase defense spending to 4% of GDP.

Romania’s prime minister said the missiles made the country safer.

“The strategic partnership between the U.S. and Romania is further materialized in a military and economic relationship that is beneficial to Romania,” Ludovic Orban said.