Romania Enhances Aerial Reconnaissance Capabilities with New Quantum Systems Vector Drone Purchase.

On June 24, 2024, Romania signed a contract for 18.4 million euros ($19.7 million) to purchase Vector unmanned aerial systems (UAS), manufactured by the German company Quantum Systems. This development continues the Romanian Armed Forces' 2040 transformation program, aimed at strengthening the country's defense capabilities. The acquisition of these advanced UAS is pivotal in enhancing ground troops' operational awareness and combat tactics, particularly in complex environments where real-time surveillance and reconnaissance are critical for effective engagement and threat management.
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Quantum Systems Vector Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (Picture source: Quantum Systems)

The Romanian government, which had already enhanced its air fleet with second-hand F-16s from Denmark, Bayraktar TB2 drones from Türkiye, and Watchkeeper X drones from Israel, sees the acquisition of these new drones as an opportunity to increase its reconnaissance and surveillance operations. The importance of these new capabilities is especially critical in the context of the ongoing security instability in the Black Sea region.

The contract signed on May 14, 2024, stipulates a three-year delivery period for the UAS. Each Vector drone, with a unit cost of 180,000 euros, is equipped with impressive capabilities: electric propulsion, vertical takeoff, and the ability to fly for 180 minutes in challenging weather conditions. The Vector can also transmit real-time video to multiple ground control stations over a maximum distance of 35 kilometers through encrypted Mesh IP data links.

Sven Kruck, Chief Sales Officer of Quantum-Systems, expresses his pride: "Our collaboration with Romania marks an important milestone in our mission to support global defense initiatives with reliable and efficient unmanned aerial solutions."

The Vector drone is a cutting-edge dual-use ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance) system developed by Quantum-Systems GmbH, designed to excel in both civilian and military applications due to its versatility and advanced technological features. This electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) system was officially released on February 15th, 2024, and serves as a state-of-the-art solution for mobile, disconnected military and security operations as well as for commercial use in geospatial data collection.

Vector is uniquely engineered to operate in confined areas with its compact design, supporting a wingspan of 2.8 meters and weighing under 8.5 kg, which allows for vertical takeoff and landing capabilities. This drone is equipped with AES-256 encrypted mesh network radio for secure communication and includes a tactical hand controller and an optional laptop for operations. It boasts high endurance and resilience, capable of operating in winds up to 27 knots and at altitudes up to 4500 meters MSL. Its operational flexibility is enhanced by the onboard AI processing with NVIDIA Jetson Orin, making it ideal for complex mission environments where real-time data processing is critical. Vector’s integration with various command and control systems and its compatibility with existing operational protocols underscore its role in modern ISR tasks, providing a robust platform for both tactical military engagements and advanced commercial applications.

The Vector drones stand out for their low noise emissions, making them ideal for covert surveillance operations. They can be deployed and operational in just three minutes by a few soldiers, thus providing a quick and effective response in various reconnaissance and security scenarios.

As a reminder, the Romanian armed forces are structured around territorial defense, support for NATO and EU missions, and contributing to regional and global stability and security. According to the National Defense Strategy 2020-2024, principal security threats include Russia’s increased presence in the Black Sea, hybrid warfare, cyber-attacks, terrorism, and the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic. Under the Armata 2040 project, authorities are looking to modernize and upgrade the armed forces to NATO standards. A defense budget increase was announced in March 2022. Bucharest has signed defense cooperation agreements with regional allies and, following Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, has enhanced cooperation with the US, France, and regional allies in the Bucharest Nine organization. There is a strategic partnership with the US.

Quantum Systems Vector Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (Picture source: Quantum Systems)