NATO reinforced Romania’s airspace surveillance after a Russian drone might have crossed into Romanian airspace on its way to Ukraine last week.
An Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) aircraft has begun patrols over Romania to “support the Alliance’s reinforced presence in the region and monitor Russian military activity,” NATO stated.
NATO reported that flights will pass solely over alliance countries’ territories and will be conducted from Greek and German air bases.
Since the conflict between Moscow and Kyiv began in February 2022, the EU and NATO have raised concerns over Russian attacks near member countries’ borders with Ukraine.
On September 27, Romanians in northern Tulcea received warnings after Russian drones were detected moving toward Ukrainian targets close to the country’s border.
Romanian officials, as well as other NATO countries, have repeatedly reported similar episodes and appealed for a NATO response.
Earlier in September, the US State Department approved the sale of F-35 aircraft and related equipment to Bucharest for $7.2 billion.
The Defense Security Cooperation Agency said “the proposed sale will improve Romania’s capability to meet current and future threats by further equipping it to conduct self-defense and regional security missions.”