the Romanian Army

Romanian deep-tech defense company Qognifly unveils integrated drone system with NATO interoperability Qognifly, a Romanian deep-tech defense company specializing in the design, production, and integration of autonomous aerial systems, presented a fully integrated and operational drone ecosystem during the LCI-X 1-26 Eastern Phoenix 2026 (EAPH 26) exercise, organized by Allied Command Transformation (ACT) and the Ministry of National Defence, at the Capu Midia range in Constanța County. The exercise, which took place last week, focused on innovation and experimentation in countering threats posed by unmanned aerial systems. Companies from the defense industry, both domestic and foreign, also participated in the tests, aiming to sign contracts with the Romanian Army.  During the exercise, Qognifly presented two NATO Class I Small ISR drones capable of missions of up to 24 hours, an X-band radar detection system integrated with visible and infrared optical sensors, a NATO-interoperable C2 platform using the SAPIENT protocol, and the multi-role STUD drone, developed in partnership with US-based Xdown.

Representatives of the Romanian Ministry of National Defense said on Saturday, in a post on the ministry's Facebook page, that SAFE represents "a chance to catch up" and equip Romania with "efficient combat systems." "If this program is successfully carried out, the Romanian Army will look completely different in just a few years," the quoted source said.

Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan said on Friday, when asked who decided that five billion euros from SAFE projects would go to a German company, that the program management scheme was established and voted on during the mandate of former Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu. Bolojan specified that the Romanian Army's equipment plans were approved several years ago.