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Watchkeeper was created on the basis of the drone Elbit Hermes 450. It will be p...

Watchkeeper X drones will arrive at Romania's army: spend $ 410 million

Watchkeeper was created on the basis of the drone Elbit Hermes 450. It will be produced in Romania. Romanian State Defense Company ROMTEHNICA, which operates as a representative of the country's Ministry of National Defense, has signed a framework agreement with the Israeli company Elbit Systems about buying up to seven watchkeeper X drones, Defensnews. com writes.

The agreement, which is estimated at $ 410 million, is concluded that Eastern European allies of Romania began to buy unmanned aircraft after Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Within the agreement, Romanian defense enterprises should provide production and maintenance of tactical drones, the Ministry's statement said. The agreement is for five years.

"Starting with the Third WatchKeper X system, adjacent electrical and mechanical systems will be produced in Romania by enterprises operating on the national defense industry," the statement said. "Comprehensive maintenance work throughout the life cycle of WatchKeper X systems will be provided by domestic economic operators to avoid providing these services with foreign companies in crisis or in wartime. " Watchkeeper was created on the base of Elbit Hermes 450.

The UAV is produced by U-TACS, a joint venture in which Elbit Systems owns 51% of shares, and Thales UK-49% of shares. Last October, the Polish National Defense Ministry signed a contract for renting a MQ-9a Reaper drone from the American General Atomics manufacturer. This step was made because the Ministry is preparing the purchase of UAV.