Romania's defence council moves to boost Black Sea drone defences
Chaired by President Nicușor Dan, the Supreme Defence Council discussed drone attacks on ships near Romanian waters and faster maritime surveillance and mine-clearing capabilities.
Romania's Supreme Council of National Defence (CSAT) met on Thursday at Cotroceni Palace in Bucharest to discuss how to strengthen the country's maritime surveillance and its ability to counter drones that enter Romanian airspace and waters without authorisation, as incidents in the Black Sea multiply.
The meeting, chaired by President Nicușor Dan, reviewed violations of national airspace and drone attacks on commercial ships in and near Romania's territorial waters. The presidency attributed these incidents to Russia's aggression spreading beyond Ukraine's borders and warned that threats to freedom of navigation and to critical infrastructure have grown significantly.
Among the priorities announced are the accelerated development of maritime surveillance, mine countermeasures and better responses to intruding drones, along with regular joint exercises between the institutions involved and updated intervention plans. The aim, the presidency said, is to protect lives, keep Romanian ports freely accessible and secure energy installations in the country's Exclusive Economic Zone.
Council members also discussed closer coordination within NATO to strengthen deterrence on the Eastern Flank, building on the North Atlantic Council meeting held on 20 October at Romania's request, as well as cooperation with other allied Black Sea states.