The deal, signed in 2022, envisaged deliveries beginning in 2025, but delays led Romanian Defense Minister Radu Miruta to consider canceling the deal.
A $400 million deal for tactical drones has been delayed three times by Elbit, drawing €60 million in fines. Romania fears the systems may become outdated; Elbit says final acceptance tests are set for late April
“I am analyzing whether we want to terminate this contract,” Radu Miruta told reporters on Thursday. “There are some devices that have technical characteristics, which, if they are received a few years later, are no longer relevant.”
Romania spends 2.45% OF ITS GDP on defense
Under the EU’s new rearmament initiative SAFE, to begin this year, Romania has been allotted 16.6 billion euros of which it plans to spend about 200 million euros on drone production.
Miruta said that Romania would shortlist Ukrainian drone makers that meet the Romanian army’s requirements and then start commercial talks on potential joint production.
