Repeated Russian drone incursions spur Bucharest to boost defences.

Romania is exploring a partnership with Ukraine to co-produce drones under the European Union’s SAFE rearmament programme, according to discussions reported on 26 September. The plan would tap Ukraine’s battle-proven technology and expand Romania’s domestic output of systems to counter aerial threats along its 650-kilometre border with Ukraine.

The push comes after more than 20 documented incursions by Russian drones into Romanian airspace. A Romanian defence official said Bucharest needs more air defences as the cost of shooting down drones with traditional anti-aircraft systems remains high. While German-made Gepard guns and South Korean Chiron missiles are considered relatively economical against low-cost drones, deploying such systems at scale across the country is still expensive.

Financing appears to be in place for a broader military refresh. Romania expects to receive €16.6 billion for weapons purchases over the next five years, equivalent to roughly 1% of its GDP. Its current arsenal includes United States-made F-16 fighter jets, Patriot air defence batteries and Lockheed Martin HIMARS rocket launchers, alongside Gepard and Chiron air-defence systems. Joint drone production with Ukraine would be intended to stretch resources and speed up deliveries, as Ukraine’s Denys Shmyhal said on 18 September that at least 1,000 interceptor drones per day would soon be deployed.

The talks unfold amid heightened tension along NATO’s eastern flank. Estonia has accused Russia of repeated airspace violations, Denmark has temporarily shut airports over suspected drone activity, and NATO jets have shot down Russian drones in Poland. For the European Union, a Romania–Ukraine production line would signal deeper defence industrial cooperation, while for Bucharest it would offer a faster route to bolstering air defences against increasingly frequent incursions.