Romania has tested the Merops AI-powered counter-drone system at the Capu Midia Air Defence Training Range on the Black Sea coast, as reported by Reuters.
Defence Minister Radu Miruta indicated that the system is expected to enter service in the near term.
The Merops solution features a combination of ground control units, launch systems, and Surveyor interceptor drones that use radar integration and AI-based autonomy to detect and neutralize aerial threats.
The two-week trial also included a broader assessment of counter-drone technologies such as radar systems, sensors, and electronic warfare tools from various private suppliers, alongside operational testing of Romania’s existing air defense assets.
Although one interceptor failed to engage due to target maneuverability, the system showed strong capabilities in detection precision, thermal imaging, and target engagement.
Developed by Project EagleMerops, Merops is aimed at enhancing air defense coverage along the Danube corridor, an area increasingly exposed to risks stemming from the Ukraine war.
Romania has already announced plans to adopt the system, which is currently in use in Ukraine and undergoing trials in Poland under NATO’s eastern flank reinforcement initiatives.
These developments reflect Romania’s broader effort to counter the increasing use of drones near its borders, particularly as Russian drones have repeatedly entered its airspace during attacks on Ukrainian targets along the 650-kilometer frontier.
Romania’s defense inventory includes F-16 aircraft, Patriot air defense systems, and HIMARS rocket launchers, while discussions with Ukraine are ongoing for joint drone manufacturing under the EU’s SAFE funding framework.
