Romania intends to produce drones in partnership with Ukraine, with funding through the European SAFE program. The Minister of Defense from Bucharest, Ionut Mosteanu, confirmed the existence of this objective and announced that, next week, there will be several meetings on this topic, reports IPN.

“We started the discussions in August and we want to use the technology they have developed to manufacture here, in Romania, drones funded through the SAFE program,” said Ionut Mosteanu, during the “Zona Zero” show on Antena 3 CNN.

The Romanian official stated that these drones will have a defensive purpose. “We are a nation that has defended itself and will continue to do so. We are part of a defensive alliance, and the priority of manufacturers and states that want to strengthen their modern air defense is the development of interceptor drones,” the minister explained.

Referring to the Russian drones that violate Romanian airspace, Moșteanu emphasized that, in order to shoot them down, interception means are needed along the entire 650-kilometer border with Ukraine. “And I pray to God that these kilometers of border remain with Ukraine, not with Russia – and this is very important,” he added.

When asked if the Romanian army is prepared to face a potential aggression from Russia, the minister affirmed that the country can resist without problems for the first 48 hours.

“The Romanian Army is ready and continues to prepare. Most of our major exercises are conducted alongside NATO allies, and at this moment the largest exercise of the year is taking place,” said Ionuț Moșteanu, emphasizing that “the NATO umbrella is one of the best things that happened to Romania.”