Bucharest, May 24, 2024 – RBJ – Representatives of Carfil and Periscope Avation signed on Friday, at the Black Sea Defense & Aerospace Exhibition (BSDA 2024), a cooperation agreement for the production of a Romanian drone, an event attended by the Minister of Economy, Ştefan-Radu Oprea, and the ambassador of the United States of America in Bucharest, Kathleen Kavalec.
“Today we had an important moment together with the American company Periscope, together with the Romanian company Carfil, a subsidiary of Romarm, a company with state capital. We signed a protocol to make a drone together, a drone that is applicable both in the civil field , as well as in the military field. That is why two protocols were signed, one that includes several associations, of those who believe in this capacity of Romania to have a Romanian drone and together with them we propose to improve the legislative framework, for so that such projects can be carried out very quickly. The second protocol brought together those who want to use the Romanian drone for agriculture. You will see there agricultural research institutes, you will see the Polytechnic Institute of Bucharest. because together we want to develop the research part in Romania so that we can move from the idea part, to the prototype, to the product”, declared the Minister of Economy, Entrepreneurship and Tourism, Ştefan-Radu Oprea.
He mentioned that there are already several companies in Romania that know how to produce drones, have prototypes and make products, but to have a competitive drone, much more is needed.
“Besides the Romanian drone project, where we are involved all the representatives you have seen and those who are not yet signatories to these protocols, there is also our intention to become suppliers in the global production chains of branded manufacturers such as Periscope It’s not the only company, but we want them to know us better, to see the production capacities we have in Romania, to develop products, to be part of their supply chains”, said Radu Oprea.
For his part, Nic Mc Carter, CEO of Periscope Avation, emphasized that there is an intention to create a Romanian drone, manufactured in Romania for local customers.
Also, Mircea Tanţău, the general director of Carfil, added that the company has manufacturing facilities, but until now it has not had a company to industrialize these drones.
“We want to produce drones, as the minister also said, and to be included in the chain of European and global equipment and drone suppliers. Carfil has, thanks to the support of the ministry, modern manufacturing capabilities, we have investments of over 15 million of euros, we have ultra-modern equipment and we are ready to launch in mass production the types of drones that we will establish based on a roadmap,” Mircea Tanţău said.
He also said that in the signed cooperation agreement there is an article that stipulates that within three months of signing the agreement, the two companies will define their participation in this association.
“This cooperation agreement is the preparation of an association agreement between Romania, through Carfil, the Ministry of Economy, and Periscope Avation. We will have to define the participation of each one”, said Mircea Tanţău.
The Carfil SA company, with a history of over 100 years in the production of armaments and ammunition for artillery, is among the most important companies in Romania’s defense industry.
Periscope Aviation represents the drone division of Chartis Federal, being the latest investment of the American company, renowned for its innovation in high-performance tactical UAV systems.
