Romania's Ministry of Defense is considering canceling its contract for the supply of Watchkeeper X unmanned aerial systems from Israel's Elbit Systems amid ongoing delays and repeated postponements. Additionally, as Defense Minister Radu Miruță noted, the technical specifications of certain weapons systems may become outdated if deliveries are not completed within the next few years.
This was reported by Radio Romania International (RRI). According to the minister, Elbit Systems has already requested three deadline extensions. Romania approved the first two, while penalties for delays have already reached €60 million.
Read more: Israel Delays Watchkeeper X Delivery to Romania for Five Months – First Drones Expected in a Few Months
This amount represents roughly one-third of the €180 million firm contract signed in summer 2023, which itself was based on a broader 2022 framework agreement worth approximately €410 million. The framework deal envisaged the delivery of seven systems (each consisting of three UAVs), while the firm contract covered three systems.
The original delivery deadline was set for June of last year. However, in November it was reported that due to the war with Hamas, Israel would delay deliveries to Romania by five months, following an initial six-month extension.
It now appears that the issue remains unresolved, as Romania is actively considering terminating the agreement.
Another key question is what systems Romania could choose as a replacement for the Israeli Watchkeeper X, or whether it will shift its focus to alternative projects altogether.
In this context, it is worth noting that the United Kingdom, following the costly failure of its Watchkeeper WK450 program, has been considering replacing it with the Ukrainian-made Raybird UAV. A similar option could theoretically be explored by Romania, especially given that Ukraine and Romania are launching joint drone production projects with €200 million in EU support under the SAFE program.
At the same time, Romania may pursue a more straightforward option. Funds freed from the Israeli contract could be redirected toward additional purchases of Turkish Bayraktar TB2 reconnaissance-strike UAVs, which were ordered in 2023 and began entering service in 2024.
Earlier, Defense Express reported that the United Kingdom would not transfer its troubled Watchkeeper drones to Ukraine, following a similar decision regarding MQ-9 systems.
From the Defense Express side, we urge readers to join a fundraiser for a solution that is already proving effective: the One United Fundraiser, organized by the Serhiy Prytula Charity Foundation to support interceptor drones.
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