Romania accelerates joint drone production with Ukraine to strengthen NATO defense
Photo: Romanian Foreign Minister Oana-Silvia Țoiu (Vitalii Nosach/RBC-Ukraine)
Romania hopes to quickly launch production of defense drones on its territory in cooperation with Ukraine, both for domestic needs and for allies in the European Union and NATO.
This was stated by Romanian Foreign Minister Oana-Silvia Țoiu, according to her interview with Reuters.
According to the minister, talks with Ukraine began before the recent series of airspace violations, incidents for which Russia was blamed.
She noted that Romania considers it strategically important to strengthen the protection of the eastern flank, particularly in the area of air defense.
"We believe it is strategic for the eastern flank to be better protected, especially in air defence. So what we are doing in that direction is to create the partnerships needed, for example, with Ukraine, to build defensive drones for the future. We believe in our capacity to make it a reality fast," she said on the sidelines of the annual gathering of world leaders at the UN General Assembly that ended on Monday.
Strengthening European air defense
The Romanian government plans to establish joint drone production with Ukraine under the European defense program SAFE, aimed at boosting defense capabilities.
To implement this program, Bucharest will receive €16.6 billion ($19.4 billion), and building Romania’s multi-layered air defense system is expected to take at least seven years.
The initiative to enhance air defense emerged after September 10, when about 20 Russian drones entered Polish airspace, followed by drone sightings over military sites and airports in Romania, Lithuania, Denmark, and Estonia.
In response, the Romanian authorities have drafted new rules for reacting to airspace violations.
Meanwhile, the EU is preparing four defense projects aimed at countering Russian aerial attacks, one of them known as the "drone wall."
