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# Romania Considers Joint Drone Production with Ukraine Under EU SAFE Program
- URL: https://www.adriadefense.com/romania-considers-joint-drone-production-with-ukraine-under-eu-safe-program/
- Published: 2025-09-26T16:22:00.000Z
- Updated: 2025-09-27T16:30:42.000Z
- Description: Facing repeated Russian drone incursions, Bucharest looks to Kyiv’s battle-tested UAV technology through the EU’s €150 billion defence loan scheme.
- Author: AdriaDefense Desk
- Tags: Romania, Ukraine, EU SAFE Program, Industry, NATO, #Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan, #Ilie Bolojan, #Denys Shmyhal, #Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal, F-16 fighter jets, #HIMARS, #Gepard anti-aircraft

**BUCHAREST** – Romania is exploring a partnership with **Ukraine** to jointly produce **drones** under the **European Union’s Security Action for Europe (SAFE)** initiative — a loan-based program designed to strengthen European defence capabilities, **Reuters** reported on **Sept. 26**.

The move comes amid rising **security concerns** along **NATO’s eastern flank**, as **Russian drones** have repeatedly violated **Romanian airspace**. Bucharest, which shares a **650-kilometer (400-mile)** border with Ukraine, has documented **over 20 incidents** involving drone incursions or debris falling on its territory since the start of the war.

A **Romanian defence official** told Reuters that the country urgently needs **more air defense systems**, but the **costs are prohibitively high**.

> “We need more air defences — and nobody has them. The anti-aircraft costs are enormous and can only realistically be covered at the NATO level,” the source said.

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### **EU SAFE Funding and Romania’s Defence Plans**

Under the **EU SAFE program** — a €150 billion loan facility supporting joint procurement and industrial cooperation — Romania is set to receive **€16.6 billion** (approx. **$19.4 billion**).

Prime Minister **Ilie Bolojan** said the funds will allow **annual military purchases** equivalent to **1% of GDP** over the next **five years**, providing steady investment for modernisation and new production projects.

The planned **Romania–Ukraine drone collaboration** would leverage **Kyiv’s “battle-tested” UAV technology**, honed in combat, and integrate it into **European production chains**.

Ukraine has rapidly scaled up domestic drone manufacturing. On **Sept. 18**, Prime Minister **Denys Shmyhal** announced that Kyiv will soon be able to **deploy 1,000 interceptor drones per day** to defend against Russian strikes.

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### **Existing Romanian Capabilities**

Romania’s current air defence network includes:

- **F-16 fighter jets** (U.S.-made)
- **Patriot systems** from **Raytheon**
- **HIMARS** launchers by **Lockheed Martin**
- **Chiron** short-range missiles (South Korea)
- **Gepard** anti-aircraft guns (Germany)

While **Gepard** and **Chiron** systems are relatively **cost-effective** for drone defence, officials say deploying them across the **entire border** remains financially challenging.

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### **Rising Tensions on NATO’s Eastern Flank**

Romania’s initiative follows a series of **airspace violations** across Eastern Europe:

- **Estonia** accused **Russia** of sending **three fighter jets** into its airspace.
- **Denmark** temporarily **closed airports** over suspected drone sightings.
- **NATO** aircraft reportedly **shot down Russian drones** over **Poland**.

These incidents highlight growing concerns about **hybrid warfare** and the **pressure on European air defences**, prompting several NATO members to **increase spending** and **expand cooperation** through EU-led mechanisms like **SAFE**.

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### **Looking Ahead**

Romania’s potential drone venture with Ukraine would mark a **significant step** toward **regional defence integration**, combining **EU financing**, **Ukrainian expertise**, and **Romanian infrastructure**.

If approved, the project could become a **model for cross-border cooperation** in Europe’s emerging **defence industrial ecosystem** — one that aims to strengthen **collective resilience** and reduce **dependence on non-European suppliers**.

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📎 **Sources:** Reuters, European Commission – Defence Industry, NATO