Romania, Poland Plan €147M Loitering Munition Procurement

Romania and Poland have agreed to cooperate on a planned €147 million procurement of 70 loitering munition systems for the Romanian Armed Forces under the European Union's Security Action for Europe, or SAFE, financing mechanism.

The two defense ministries signed a Letter of Intent in Bucharest on September 30, formally establishing cooperation on the project. Romania's Ministry of National Defence identifies Poland as the lead country for the joint procurement.

The program is intended to equip both the Romanian Land Forces and Romanian Naval Forces. Romania estimates the project at €147 million excluding VAT.

According to Romanian SAFE program documents, the requirement covers 70 loitering munition systems designed to search for and engage enemy forces and equipment after detection.

The Romanian ministry has not publicly identified the manufacturer or system selected for the procurement.

That distinction is important because Polish defense technology company WB Group has already positioned its GLADIUS reconnaissance-strike system for the Romanian requirement.

In May 2026, WB Group and Romanian aerospace company Romaero signed an industrial cooperation agreement focused on GLADIUS systems for the Romanian Ministry of National Defence. The agreement also covers potential manufacturing and assembly of WARMATE loitering munitions in Romania.

However, neither the September 30 Letter of Intent nor Romania's current SAFE project listing names WB Group, GLADIUS or WARMATE as the selected solution.

The Polish-led procurement could nevertheless provide an established route for Romania to acquire a loitering munition capability while incorporating industrial cooperation with companies from both countries.

Poland has significantly expanded its own unmanned strike capabilities. In May, the Polish Armament Agency placed major orders with WB Group covering additional GLADIUS, FLYEYE and WARMATE systems.

AdriaDefense reported in August that WB Group is also developing GLADIUS 2, a longer-range jet-powered unmanned strike platform with a stated range of about 300 kilometers.

Poland's WB Group Details Gladius 2 With 300 km Range

WB Group has also established a Romanian subsidiary as it expands its industrial presence in the country.

WB Group Establishes Romanian Subsidiary to Expand EU Footprint

The loitering munition project forms part of Romania's wider SAFE investment program. Bucharest has identified 21 military procurement projects worth about €9.6 billion for implementation through the EU financing instrument between 2026 and 2030.

Ten of those projects are planned as joint procurements with other European countries.