Bucharest Airports Launch Market Consultation for Drone Defense Systems After Russian Drone Enters Romanian Airspace

Romania's National Company Bucharest Airports launched market consultations for drone detection and counter-drone systems at Otopeni and Băneasa, with proposals due by September 9.

Original report
mezha.net

Industry impact

The move signals growing pressure on European airport operators to fund and deploy counter-drone infrastructure as regional airspace incursions raise safety concerns near civilian aviation hubs.

Romania's National Company Bucharest Airports has begun market consultations to select drone detection and counter-drone systems for Otopeni and Băneasa airports in Bucharest. The systems must detect drones, monitor their flight paths, and neutralize potential threats to aviation safety, operating continuously around the clock regardless of weather conditions.

The project is still at a preparatory stage and has not entered formal procurement procedures. Companies specializing in drone detection and counter-drone technologies may submit proposals until September 9, after which the National Company Bucharest Airports is expected to select the most suitable system and determine implementation costs, with the purchase and installation to be self-financed.

The initiative follows a Russian drone attack on August 24 in which one drone entered Moldovan airspace before crossing into Romania, heightening concerns about airspace security near civilian aviation infrastructure amid Russia's ongoing war against Ukraine.