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# Romania Expects Anti-Drone Helicopters as Slovakia Sends Low-Altitude Radars
- URL: https://www.adriadefense.com/romania-expects-anti-drone-helicopters-as-slovakia-sends-low-altitude-radars/
- Published: 2026-10-07T09:00:41.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-07T09:00:40.000Z
- Description: Romania expects two helicopters equipped with counter-drone technology by the end of October as Slovakia prepares to deploy low-altitude radars to strengthen the country’s eastern-flank air defenses.
- Author: AdriaDefense Desk
- Tags: Romania, Slovakia, CEE, Industry, Drones, Counter-Drone, Air Defense, Black Sea

**Romania expects to receive two helicopters equipped with counter-drone technology by the end of October, while Slovakia is preparing to deploy low-altitude surveillance radars to the country as Bucharest strengthens its defenses against unmanned aerial threats along NATO’s eastern flank.**

Romanian Defence Minister Radu Miruță announced the measures on Monday evening, saying preparations for the Slovak radar deployment have already progressed to on-site positioning assessments.

“We are expecting two helicopters equipped with anti-drone technology at the end of the month. Slovakia has announced that it is sending radars, and measurements have already been carried out on the ground regarding their positioning,” Miruță told Romanian public broadcaster TVR 1.

The Romanian government has not publicly identified the type or operator of the two helicopters, nor disclosed technical details of the Slovak radar systems.

The additional capabilities come as Romania faces repeated drone activity close to its border with Ukraine.

On the night of October 5–6, Romanian military radars detected two aerial targets operating in Ukrainian airspace near the Romanian river border. Two Spanish F-18 fighter aircraft deployed to Romania for NATO Enhanced Air Policing scrambled from Mihail Kogălniceanu Air Base.

Authorities issued a RO-Alert warning for parts of Tulcea County. Romania's Ministry of National Defence said no unauthorized entry into Romanian airspace was detected during the incident.

A similar alert occurred the previous night, when another aerial target was tracked near Vylkove in Ukraine, again prompting Spanish F-18s to take off from Mihail Kogălniceanu.

### Romania expands counter-UAS network

Romania has been gradually expanding its counter-drone architecture as Russian attacks against Ukrainian infrastructure near the Danube have repeatedly brought unmanned systems close to NATO territory.

In June, the Romanian Armed Forces announced the operational integration of the MEROPS counter-drone system provided by the United States.

The system is designed to detect, track and neutralize small unmanned aerial targets operating at low altitude, using artificial intelligence-supported technology.

Miruță has acknowledged that Romania requires additional capabilities for detecting and engaging drones, particularly targets flying at very low altitude.

Further investments are also expected through the European Union's SAFE defense financing program. Romania plans to begin receiving additional counter-drone systems and low-altitude radars from the second half of 2027, according to the defence minister.

The upcoming helicopter and radar deployments would therefore provide additional capabilities ahead of those longer-term acquisitions.

Romania has also relied heavily on allied air policing deployments. Spanish forces are currently operating F-18 fighters from Mihail Kogălniceanu as part of NATO's Enhanced Air Policing mission in the Black Sea region.

The growing combination of fighter aircraft, dedicated counter-UAS systems and low-altitude sensors reflects a broader NATO effort to close gaps in detecting and intercepting small drones along the alliance's eastern border.