The “pocket drone” was developed by the Ministry of Defense, and after approval it will enter the service of the military for recognition “immediately in the tactical sphere”, said the head of the Weapons Department of the Ministry of Defense, Major General Teodor Inchikash. . He also told what other drones MApN is developing and what models have already been or will be purchased.

“We approach the acquisition of unmanned aerial systems at different levels, levels that are governed by the definitions in our documents or NATO definitions,” said Maj. Gen. Teodor Inchikas, head of the General Directorate of Armaments, on the Military Observatory podcast. .

He was talking about small drones for the army, which MApN is developing through its own research or obtains through procedures that are not complicated.

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“Pocket drone”, a drone for the military in the tactical field

“I will give only one example. Last year, thanks to our own research, we created the so-called “pocket drone”, which we will now approve and, having purchased it according to our projects, put it into service with the military,” Inchikash said.

“A drone necessary for the military as an individual from the point of view of direct knowledge in the tactical sphere and intelligence, especially in urban areas,” detailed the head of military supply.

Other drones developed by MApN: Mini system for reconnaissance battalions for 20-25 kilometers / Other proprietary systems developed for a range of 100 km

“As for unmanned aerial systems, at the first level we have a mini-system that is in service with battalions and brigades and which we intend to purchase this year. This system is designed for reconnaissance at shorter distances, 20-25 kilometers,” Inchikash said.

“The Tactical Air System is an unmanned system that, according to our requirements — we have our own requirements — has a range of up to 100 kilometers (without range). At the moment, at the Research Agency of Military Equipment and Technologies, we have created the first product and are going to develop it with vertical landing and takeoff, this product will enter the service of the Romanian army after approval,” said the head of the armaments department.

He noted that for this purchase, the army will “enter” the market with its own product, but a competitive procurement procedure will still be organized.

Operational-tactical drones Watchkeeper X manufactured by Elbit in Romania

Teodor Inchikas reminded that in addition to these smaller types of drones, the army has procurement programs for large and very complex unmanned aerial systems with a range of more than 200 kilometers, which have already been signed or have received parliamentary approval and are currently being negotiated.

At the end of 2022, Romania signed a framework agreement for the supply of the “Tactical-Operational UAS Class II” product with the Israeli company Elbit Systems Ltd, and the drones will be manufactured in Romania.

The agreement is designed for five years and is aimed at concluding subsequent contracts for the supply of up to seven Watchkeeper X UAS systems with a total value of approx. 1.891 billion lei without VAT (about 380 million euros).

Each of the seven Watchkeeper X UAS systems includes a ground control station and three unmanned aerial vehicles. Thus, in total, almost 21 Watchkeeper X drones will enter service with the Ground Forces. Watchkeeper X drones are designed specifically for reconnaissance and intelligence gathering, but they can also be armed with special ammunition. In Bacau, a year ago, a model of the Watchkeeper X drone, armed with two missiles under each wing, was presented.

According to the signed agreement, the company Elbit Systems Ltd undertakes to implement and consolidate on the national territory, at the level of economic operators in the defense industry, production, integration, testing and technical capabilities in the military sphere for the delivered systems. It should be noted that Elbit already produces spare parts for its Hermes 450 (Watchkeeper) drones in our country, in Bacau.

• Thus, starting with the first UAS Watchkeeper X system, the production of the structure of the car tower and the structure of the container of the ground command and control station, as well as the production of electrical and mechanical components of the system will be carried out on the territory of Romania, at economic operators from the national defense industry.

In addition, starting with the third Watchkeeper X UAS system, the production of all associated electrical and mechanical systems will be carried out in Romania through economic operators from the national defense industry. At the same time, complex-level maintenance operations during the life cycle of UAS Watchkeeper X systems will be carried out by economic entities from the national defense industry, so that in crisis and military situations there is no need to perform these operations outside the national territory.

The latest negotiations regarding Bayraktar TB-2 drones purchased from Turkey

At the same time, Romania is currently discussing the purchase of Bayraktar TB-2 attack drones with the Turkish company Baykar, the head of the Main Directorate of Armaments, Major General Teodor Inchikas, said in an interview with the “Military Observatory” podcast.

In September 2022, the parliament approved MApN for the purchase of 3 Bayraktar TB-2 systems (18 drones), then the value of the contract was estimated at $ 300 million

“The acquisition of 3 Bayraktar TB2 UAV systems with 6 flight platforms, each capable of engaging targets, together with an initial package of logistical support and special training and training equipment, is under consideration,” MApN said at the time.

“The value of the procurement contract excluding VAT is estimated at USD 300 million based on the data collected so far, the exact value will be determined after the procurement procedure is completed,” MApN said in a statement.