Romania Buys Israeli Watchkeeper X Tactical UAS for $410M

Elbit Systems has won a contract valued $410 million to supply up to seven “Watchkeeper X” tactical unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) to Romania with a validity of five years.

No specific purchase order under the contract was awarded yet.

The Watchkeeper X surveillance systems are designed for intelligence gathering, surveillance, target acquisition and reconnaissance. This UAS is the UK export variant of the British army made by UAV Tactical Systems Limited (U-TacS), Elbit Systems’ UK subsidiary, and is a derivative of the Hermes UAS family. The Watchkeeper X’ compatibility with NATO standards enables essential interoperability with NATO and other allied forces.

Romania’s defense ministry announced plans to buy three UAV systems from Turkey’s Baykar along with logistics support for an estimated $300 million.