Original Coverage & Source Attribution: www.novinite.com
France has deployed an Atlantique 2 maritime patrol aircraft to Romania to conduct surveillance and reconnaissance over the western Black Sea, following a request from Bucharest, the Romanian Ministry of National Defense announced.
The aircraft is operating from Mihail Kogălniceanu Air Base, with its mission focused on detecting threats to navigation and improving the protection of critical infrastructure within Romania’s Exclusive Economic Zone.
The French Navy’s Mediterranean and Black Sea Command sent the aircraft to the region as the security situation deteriorates. According to the Romanian ministry, the deployment is scheduled to run from October 18 to November 6, 2026.
Flight operations are being planned and coordinated with assistance from the “Vice Admiral Ioan Georgescu” Naval Component Command, in cooperation with the Maritime Coordination Centre.
The Atlantique 2 mission supports NATO deterrence operations and highlights the role of allied cooperation, interoperability and responsiveness in maritime surveillance.
The deployment also enables joint training between the Romanian Naval Forces and the French military. Romanian military personnel are taking part in Black Sea flights, joint training exercises and information exchanges with Romanian naval vessels operating at sea.
NATO and French naval support supplements Romania’s own efforts to strengthen surveillance and patrols in the Black Sea. The Romanian Ministry of National Defense said national naval forces had stepped up patrols involving ships, IAR-330 Puma Naval helicopters and autonomous unmanned systems.
The Romanian Naval Hydrographic Directorate “Commander Alexandru Cătâneanu” also issues continuous navigational warnings to mariners about identified hazards and recommended routes. The measures are designed to promote safe navigation, prevent maritime incidents and preserve freedom of movement.
The Romanian Naval Forces continue to track maritime activity within their area of responsibility in the Black Sea, working with national defense and security structures and NATO allies. At least eight cargo ships have been affected over the past three weeks.
At least eight cargo ships were affected off the Romanian and Bulgarian coasts in the three weeks leading up to October 27. Romanian F-16 fighter jets shot down two Russian drones over Romania’s territorial waters in October. NATO has also announced plans to expand Black Sea surveillance through additional maritime patrol aircraft, radar systems and unmanned aerial vehicles.
France’s aircraft deployment forms part of allied efforts to improve maritime monitoring, safeguard critical infrastructure and maintain freedom of navigation in the Black Sea.
The Romanian Ministry of National Defense said the joint operations with France and NATO complement ongoing Romanian Naval Forces activities, including surveillance, patrolling and efforts to contain threats arising from Russia’s war against Ukraine.
Separately, Romanian Foreign Minister Dan Neculaescu and French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot reaffirmed the importance of the two countries’ strategic partnership during a phone call on regional security. Their discussion covered the changing security environment, with particular attention to the Black Sea and its strategic importance for Euro-Atlantic security.
