Two Romanian anti-drone systems modernized by Rheinmetall fail acceptance tests

In December 2023, Romtehnica Company awarded a EUR 328 million framework contract, negotiated without prior publication, to German company Rheinmetall Landsysteme GmbH. The program, carried out by the General Staff of the Land Forces, provided for the modernization of 4 systems (24 guns) of Oerlikon GDF 103 anti-aircraft artillery, with the introduction of C-RAM capabilities.

C-RAM stands for Counter-Rocket, Artillery and Mortar, meaning countering rockets, artillery projectiles, and mortars. This capability essentially means transforming anti-aircraft guns into a system capable of detecting, tracking, and intercepting small projectiles and rockets approaching protected targets.

“The modernization of the systems includes, but is not limited to, the provision of modern detection radars and battery-level command posts, as well as the integration of high-tech tracking radars and electro-optical systems,” the MAPN documents reviewed by G4Media state.

During the testing and evaluation activities carried out for the acceptance of the first two Oerlikon GDF 103 systems, “it was found that some subsystems did not fully meet the requirements of the technical procurement specification.”

This was due to “technical malfunctions, as well as difficulties encountered by it in the supply chain for the equipment necessary to fulfill the contracts,” the institution said.

The systems sent for modernization could, with the necessary adaptations, be highly effective in shooting down drones. They were due to be delivered in April 2026, but will now have to be replaced with penalties for delays.

Romania currently has the MEROPS system for fighting drones, supplied by the United States of America as part of the bilateral strategic partnership. The system is operational and integrated into the Romanian Army’s defense system and is specifically intended to detect, track, and neutralize small-sized aerial targets at low altitudes.

The Romanian Army also has Gepard self-propelled anti-aircraft systems, used in the defense system, and an integrated system of sensors and radars.

So far, Romania has shot down 4 Russian drones that entered national airspace illegally with F-16 jets.

The Romanian Army has several systems in its procurement plan to create a layered and integrated C-UAS (Counter-Unmanned Aircraft Systems) architecture. Most will be purchased with SAFE funds. The new delivery deadline for the first two would be September, the Defense Ministry said.