Romania will acquire the first three of seven Watchkeeper X tactical Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) from Elbit Systems as the country ramps up its unmanned programme in response to the war in Ukraine.

The order, which was signed etween Romania’s Minister of Defence Angel Tilvar andh Elbit Systems President and CEO Bezhalel (Butzi) Machlis, was made under a $410mn framework contract first signed in December 2022.

Elbit Systems will provide upgraded Watchkeeper X tactical UAS with advanced capabilities including the Spectro XR™ multi-spectral electro-optical payload, new communication capabilities and others.

The Spectro XR™ multi-spectral electro-optical lightweight payload system is designed for day-and-night and weather-extended-range surveillance. It also provides continuous target scanning capabilities for enhanced situational awareness.

The Watchkeeper X dual-payload tactical UAS is the UK export variant of the British Army manufactured by U-TacS, Elbit Systems' UK subsidiary in cooperation with Thales, and is a derivative of the Hermes UAS family. The Watchkeeper X is compatible with NATO standards enabling essential interoperability with NATO and other allied forces.

As part of the purchase order, Elbit will transfer technology, and establish infrastructure and industrial cooperation with Aerostar and Elbit Systems subsidiaries in Romania to produce the platform and ground control station in Romania and maintenance operations during the life cycle of the system.

Yoram Shmuely, general manager of Elbit Systems Aerospace said the ongoing research and development invested in the Watchkeeper platform will enhance the capabilities of both the Romanian and British Armed forces to meet evolving operational requirements.

“This purchase order highlights the strong and growing relationship between Elbit Systems and Romania and illustrates the increased interest in our UAS platforms from countries across Europe and NATO,” he said.

The British Army’s Watchkeeper programme was fraught with delays, cost overruns and crashes. The Watchkeeper is flown by the British Army’s 47th Regiment Royal Artillery to gather information over longer distances.

It was used to support operations in Afghanistan and was the first UAS in the UK to fly alongside manned aircraft in controlled airspace, according to Thales UK, which is the prime contractor and Design Authority for the UK Watchkeeper UAS.