Elbit Systems announced today, further to its announcement of December 21, 2022, that it received a first purchase order worth approximately $180 million to supply the first three out of a maximum seven Watchkeeper X tactical Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) as part of a framework contract with the Romanian Ministry of National Defense with a maximum value of approximately $410 million (1.89 billion Lei). The purchase order will be performed over a period of two years. Under the purchase order, Elbit Systems will provide upgraded Watchkeeper X tactical UAS with advanced capabilities including the Spectro XR™ multi-spectral electro-optical payload, new communication capabilities and others.
Yoram Shmuely, General Manager of Elbit Systems Aerospace: “We welcome this partnership with Romania and their trust in our solutions. We also appreciate the continued support and collaboration with the Israeli and UK governments and our business partners on the Watchkeeper program. The ongoing research and development we are investing in the Watchkeeper platform will enhance the capabilities of both the Romanian and British Armed forces to meet evolving operational requirements. This purchase order highlights the strong and growing relationship between Elbit Systems and Romania and illustrates the increased interest in our UAS platforms from countries across Europe and NATO.”
The Watchkeeper X tactical, Dual Payload UAS is the UK export variant of the British Army manufactured by U-TacS, Elbit Systems’ UK subsidiary in cooperation with Thales, and is a derivative of the Hermes 450 UAS family. The Watchkeeper X has underwing hardpoints, capable of carrying external fuel tanks, pods, and lightweight weapons, like the Free Fall Light Multirole Missile (FF-LMM) precision-guided glide munition.[3] The drone is built to the NATO STANAG 4671 airworthiness standard, and features a modular design that compiles Civil Aviation Authority and Military Aviation Authority standards. It also has de-icing and rough strip airfield capabilities, and can be transported by various vehicle types, enabling fast deployment in theaters without paved airstrips.[
Elbit Systems Ltd. is an international high technology company engaged in a wide range of defense, homeland security and commercial programs throughout the world. The Company, which includes Elbit Systems and its subsidiaries, operates in the areas of aerospace, land and naval systems, command, control, communications, computers, intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance (“C4ISR”), unmanned aircraft systems, advanced electro-optics, electro-optic space systems, EW suites, signal intelligence systems, data links and communications systems, radios, cyber-based systems and munitions. The Company also focuses on the upgrading of existing platforms, developing new technologies for defense, homeland security and commercial applications and providing a range of support services, including training and simulation systems.
