Foreign Media: Poland and Romania Join the European Drone Race

Reference News Network, June 8 According to the Spanish newspaper El País on May 28, amid the turmoil of war in neighboring countries, Poland and Romania are working to revitalize their domestic military-industrial sectors. The Russia-Ukraine conflict has severely disrupted the EU's €800 billion military restructuring plan, as both Eastern European countries are affected due to their proximity to Ukraine. Since the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Warsaw and Bucharest have become important hubs for providing weapons and assistance to Kyiv. Now, these two countries are taking a further step: they hope to position themselves as leading suppliers of drones in Europe by utilizing the EU's "European Security Action" tool. The "European Security Action" is a financing program by the EU aimed at providing loans of up to €150 billion to countries wishing to invest in defense industrial production.

The Polish Autonomous Systems Center was recently inaugurated. This center aims to accelerate the research and production of drones, focusing on the PLargonia delta-wing drone, which is also known as the Polish version of the "Shahed" suicide drone. Polish Defense Minister Mariusz Błaszczak stated, "The priority is to complete the design of the PLargonia, which is a military drone that is about to be put into use and production." To expedite the production process, the Polish military, the Polish Armaments Group, and several civilian research institutions are coordinating their efforts. Manufacturers claim that this is a lighter suicide drone than the Iranian "Shahed," with a maximum flight range of 900 kilometers and a maximum explosive payload of 20 kilograms. The Iranian "Shahed" drone has a flight range of 2400 kilometers and a maximum explosive payload of 90 kilograms.

Multiple incidents of drones entering Romanian airspace have prompted Bucharest to reassess its arms policy and begin large-scale drone production. In mid-March, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Romanian President Nicolae Ciucă signed an agreement to jointly produce drones within Romania. The project involves an investment of €200 million, and the Romanian government plans to fund it through the "European Security Action" tool. According to the agreement, most of the weapon systems produced in Romania will primarily be used to meet Ukraine's needs. The first batch of drones will be named "Kuda" and "Xilin," but will soon expand to six models. One of these will be a "kamikaze" drone capable of carrying explosives and accurately striking targets.

Romanian Energy Minister Bogdan Gheorghiu previously stated, "We already have several prototypes, and testing is scheduled to begin by the end of May, so that production can start this summer." Meanwhile, the Romanian aerospace company expects to collaborate with an AI-based aircraft manufacturing company to produce about 1,500 drones per month by the end of this year.

From an economic perspective, drone manufacturing will drive economic growth, create thousands of jobs, and foster a network of component suppliers. A former director of a Romanian arms company, Aurel Cazacu, emphasized, "Drones are not just simple assemblies; they involve aerodynamics, engines, propulsion systems, communication systems, and electro-optical devices." Additionally, communication with the drone is also a critical aspect, "If you cannot maintain contact with it via satellite or electronic systems, then manufacturing it is meaningless." (Translated by Wang Meng)

A Romanian soldier holding a drone (AFP)