HITILA, Romania — April 28, 2026 : On April 27, 2026 Elbit Systems inaugurated a new unmanned aerial systems (UAS) production facility in Chitila, marking a further expansion of its industrial footprint in Romania. The opening coincided with the first flight of the Watchkeeper XR tactical drone in Romanian airspace, demonstrated in the presence of officials from the Romanian government and armed forces.
The facility represents the seventh production site established by Elbit Systems in Romania and has been developed under the Watchkeeper XR procurement program for the Romanian Armed Forces. It is designed to deliver a full-spectrum industrial capability, covering manufacturing, system integration, testing, and long-term maintenance of advanced unmanned aerial platforms.
Watchkeeper XR Demonstrates Operational Capability
The Watchkeeper XR completed its inaugural flight on the same day as the facility’s launch, signaling the system’s progression from industrial setup to operational readiness. The aircraft is a tactical UAS intended for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions, with the ability to operate at medium altitudes for extended durations.
Derived from the Watchkeeper W system currently in service with the British Army, the XR variant incorporates updated technologies and operational refinements informed by recent combat environments. The system is designed for use in contested airspace and is equipped with advanced sensor payloads to support persistent, wide-area surveillance.
Among its upgrades are enhanced communications systems and the integration of the Spectro XR multi-spectral electro-optical payload, aimed at improving target detection and situational awareness across diverse operational conditions.
Industrial Capability and Technology Transfer
The Chitila facility establishes localized, end-to-end UAS production capability within Romania. This includes manufacturing structural components, assembling electronic systems, integrating UAV platforms, and producing ground control stations domestically. The approach is intended to ensure that the Romanian Armed Forces can sustain and maintain the system without reliance on external supply chains or foreign maintenance infrastructure.
Elbit Systems has maintained a presence in Romania for more than 30 years and currently employs over 1,000 personnel across its operations in the country. The company’s investments have included technology transfer initiatives, local manufacturing development, and lifecycle support programs, aimed at strengthening Romania’s domestic defense industry.
The Watchkeeper XR program is part of a broader agreement signed in December 2022 between Elbit Systems and the Romanian Ministry of National Defence. The contract has a maximum value of approximately 1.89 billion Romanian lei (around $428.75 million) and covers the potential supply of up to seven UAS systems configured for Romanian requirements.
Official Remarks at Inauguration
The inauguration ceremony was attended by senior representatives from the Romanian Ministry of National Defence and executives from Elbit Systems. Yoram Shmueli, General Manager of Elbit Systems Aerospace, confirmed the successful first flight of the Watchkeeper XR earlier in the day.
He stated that the establishment of the Chitila facility reflects the company’s continued commitment to Romania’s defense sector and industrial ecosystem. He also emphasized that the systems delivered under the program are designed to provide operational capability rather than standalone platforms, highlighting reliability and readiness for deployment in operational environments.
Role in European Defense Framework
The new production site provides Elbit Systems with a manufacturing base within the European Union, aligning with broader regional efforts to strengthen defense industrial capacity. European countries have increasingly emphasized the need for domestically supported surveillance and reconnaissance systems, particularly in response to evolving security requirements.
By establishing integrated production and support capabilities in Romania, the Chitila facility contributes to both national defense modernization and wider European initiatives aimed at improving self-reliance in defense manufacturing and maintenance.
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