Romania is considering expanding cooperation with Ukraine in the field of drone production under a new European Union defense funding program. According to the plan, the country intends to leverage the achievements of Ukrainian drone developers, who have already successfully tested their systems in combat conditions, to create its own unmanned aerial systems.
This is reported by Business • Media
European Initiative and Security Investments
The project will be implemented under the SAFE initiative, launched by the EU to modernize and strengthen the defense capabilities of member states. Under this program, Romania will receive funding of €16.6 billion, allowing it to invest approximately 1% of its GDP annually in the development of defense infrastructure over the next five years. However, to establish a multi-layered air defense system, the country will need at least seven years.
Challenges from the Russian Federation and a Call for European Cooperation
Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has drawn attention to the ongoing incidents involving Russian drones in Denmark, Norway, and the Baltic states. According to Ukrainian intelligence, the Russian Federation may use tankers as platforms for launching and controlling drones, which creates additional challenges in countering such threats. Zelensky emphasized the importance of joint efforts and called on European partners to join in the production of interceptor drones in Ukraine.
“According to intelligence, the Russian Federation may use tankers to launch these and similar drones – as platforms for the launch and control of UAVs. He added that it is not easy to prevent this, but it is possible.”