Moldova Receives Atlas Drones Despite Manufacturer Failing Obligations to Come Back Alive

Moldova’s National Army receives Latvian Atlas reconnaissance drones.

Photos of the drone training were shared on the Ministry of Defense’s Facebook account.

The exercises involved cadets from the new college at the Alexandru cel Bun Military Academy in Chișinău and special forces from the Fulger battalion.

The drones, developed by the Latvian company Atlas Aerospace, are designed for reconnaissance and surveillance.

The Come Back Alive Foundation scandal with Atlas drone manufacturer

In July 2022, the charitable Come Back Alive Foundation ordered 100 of these drones for Ukrainian military forces. However, in April 2023, the foundation’s director, Taras Chmut, stated on the ‘Frontova Poplava’ podcast that the manufacturer did not fully fulfill its obligations.

“The situation has not been fully resolved, but it has been an extremely negative experience. There are serious questions for our special forces, and huge questions for the manufacturer, which has not fully fulfilled its obligations.”

Atlas, commenting on the situation for the publication Dev.ua, stated that as of 2023, they are in the process of fulfilling their obligations to the Come Back Alive Foundation, and have reached agreements with Taras Chmut to complete the deliveries.