BUCHAREST, Romania — Romanian authorities scrambled F-16 fighter jets after an unmanned maritime vessel carrying explosives was detected dangerously close to the Neptun Deep offshore gas project in the Black Sea, triggering an urgent military response.
The incident occurred on August 20 after a commercial vessel reported the suspicious craft at about 6:28 a.m. local time. Authorities said the drone was drifting just several hundred meters from the Neptun Alpha production platform, approximately 80 nautical miles (148 kilometers) east of Constanța and within Romania’s exclusive economic zone.
Concerned about the potential threat to critical energy infrastructure and personnel working offshore, the Romanian Coast Guard immediately alerted the Ministry of National Defence. An emergency command cell was established to assess the situation and coordinate a response.
Interim Defence Minister Radu Miruță said officials determined that the vessel posed an immediate security threat. Following consultations with President Nicușor Dan, Romanian forces were authorized to neutralize the craft.
F-16s Respond
Two Romanian Air Force F-16 fighter jets were dispatched to the area. One of the aircraft opened fire with its onboard cannon, striking and damaging the maritime drone.
The vessel remained afloat, however, and continued drifting near the offshore facility. Romanian authorities then launched a second phase of the operation.
A Coast Guard vessel carrying an explosive ordnance disposal team from the Romanian Naval Forces moved toward the damaged craft. EOD specialists boarded or approached the vessel, inspected it and confirmed that it contained an explosive charge.
The specialists subsequently conducted a controlled detonation, eliminating the remaining threat. Romania’s Defence Ministry released video footage showing parts of the operation, including the fighter-jet engagement and subsequent disposal effort.
Russia Blamed
Authorities also moved to determine where the drone came from. Miruță said Romania contacted Ukraine through a recently established direct communication channel and was informed that the vessel was not Ukrainian.
President Dan condemned the incident and blamed Russia, saying the episode demonstrated the growing security risks facing Romania and other NATO members operating along the Black Sea.
The incident follows other security concerns around the Neptun Deep project. Earlier in August, Romanian forces reportedly destroyed two Russian-made Gerbera-type aerial drones found near the offshore energy development.
Neptun Deep is one of Romania’s most important energy projects and is expected to significantly increase the country’s natural-gas production once full-scale operations begin in 2027.
The latest incident underscores the growing vulnerability of critical infrastructure to unmanned systems amid Russia’s ongoing war against Ukraine. Romanian authorities say they remain on heightened alert and will continue working with NATO partners to protect the country’s offshore facilities, territorial waters and personnel.
