Finance
Israel's Elbit Systems Set to Start Delivery of Drones to Romania After Delays
Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on April 6, 2026
2 min readLast updated: April 6, 2026
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Elbit Systems is set to begin delivery of Watchkeeper X drones to Romania under a 1.89 billion lei (~$429 million) contract signed in December 2022. After delays due to Israel’s conflict with Hamas and force majeure claims, final acceptance tests are expected in Romania by late April 2026, with asse
Elbit Systems to Deliver Watchkeeper X Drones to Romania After Delay Threat
Contract Details and Delivery Timeline
BUCHAREST, April 6 (Reuters) - Israel's Elbit Systems is preparing to start delivery of Watchkeeper X drones to Romania under a 1.89 billion lei ($428.75 million) contract, the company said on Monday, after the Romanian defence minister threatened last week to cancel the deal due to delays.
Background of the Agreement
The deal for seven unmanned aircraft systems was signed in 2022, with deliveries due to start in 2025.
Force Majeure and Project Prioritization
"Despite the challenges arising from the exceptional security situation in Israel, which has been recognised as a force majeure event by the company's customers worldwide, the project has been given high priority," Elbit Systems said in an emailed response to Reuters queries.
Acceptance Tests and Local Manufacturing
"The systems are ready to undergo final acceptance tests in Romania toward the end of April, subject to approval by the Romanian regulatory authorities."
It said the drones were being manufactured in Romania.
Strategic Importance for Romania
Romania, a European Union and NATO member, shares a 650‑km (400-mile) land border with Ukraine and has had drones breach its airspace and fragments fall onto its territory since Russia began attacking Ukrainian ports located across the Danube from Romania.
Financial Details
($1 = 4.4082 lei)
(Reporting by Emily Rose and Luiza Ilie; Editing by Susan Fenton)
Key Takeaways
- •Romania signed a contract in December 2022 worth about 1.89 billion lei (roughly $410–429 million) with Elbit Systems for seven Watchkeeper X drone systems (21 drones total) (romaniajournal.ro).
- •The project includes significant local production: components made in Chitila, assembly in Bacău, and command stations in Bucharest; maintenance will also be carried out in Romania (digi24.ro).
- •Deliveries were delayed due to the war in Gaza, prompting a force majeure claim; Romania granted a six‑month extension, with first operational systems now expected mid‑2026, and final acceptance tests scheduled by end‑April 2026 (en.wikipedia.org).
- •Romania faces frequent Russian drone incursions along its border; the new Watchkeeper X systems will significantly enhance its ISTAR (intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition, reconnaissance) capabilities (apnews.com).
References
- Romanian army buys 7 Israeli drones, which will be manufactured in Romania - The Romania Journal
- REPORTAJ România plătește 400 de milioane de $ pentru drone israeliene. Aparatele sunt fabricate în țara noastră | Digi24
- Watchkeeper X
- NATO member Romania finds drone fragments after Russian strikes on Ukrainian ports
Frequently Asked Questions about Israel's Elbit Systems set to start delivery of drones to Romania after delays
1What drones are Elbit Systems delivering to Romania?
Elbit Systems is delivering Watchkeeper X unmanned aircraft systems to Romania under a contract signed in 2022.
2Why were the drone deliveries to Romania delayed?
The deliveries were delayed due to the exceptional security situation in Israel, recognized as a force majeure event.
3How many drone systems is Romania receiving?
Romania is set to receive seven unmanned aircraft systems from Elbit Systems.
4Where are the drones being manufactured?
The drones are being manufactured in Romania.
5What is the value of the Elbit Systems-Romania contract?
The contract is valued at 1.89 billion lei, approximately $428.75 million.
