France sends patrol plane to Black Sea as drone attacks kill four sailors
French Atlantique 2 aircraft deployed to Romania after eight cargo ships hit since early October
France has temporarily deployed a maritime patrol aircraft to the Black Sea to bolster surveillance following a surge in drone attacks targeting commercial vessels near NATO allies Romania and Bulgaria. The French Navy’s Atlantique 2 aircraft arrived at Romania’s Mihail Kogălniceanu air base on October 18 and will remain operational until November 6, focusing on monitoring the western Black Sea region.
Since early October, at least eight cargo ships have been struck by drones or missiles in the area, resulting in casualties and disruptions to critical shipping routes. The most recent incident occurred on October 23, when a vessel was sunk, killing one crew member and leaving three others missing. Earlier, on October 5, several bulk carriers near the Danube and Chornomorsk ports sustained damage but were able to reach port for inspection.
Escalating attacks on commercial shipping: Black Sea
Romanian F-16 fighter jets intercepted two Russian drones over Romanian territorial waters earlier this month, though NATO has not confirmed whether an official order was issued to engage the drones. The French aircraft had already been active in the region before its formal deployment, assisting in rescue operations near Bulgaria and Romania.
During a visit to Bulgaria on October 24, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot confirmed that the patrol aircraft was operating under NATO’s framework. “The aircraft was deployed as part of NATO missions,” he stated, emphasizing France’s commitment to regional security.
NATO and French response
France has condemned the attacks in the strongest terms, with its Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs denouncing them as a “flagrant violation of international law” in an October 15 statement. The government has called for a moratorium on strikes in the Black Sea and reiterated its unwavering support for Ukraine. Additionally, France is collaborating with Romanian authorities to identify navigation threats and protect critical infrastructure within Romania’s exclusive economic zone.
NATO has announced plans to reinforce its presence in the region by deploying additional maritime patrol aircraft, drones, and radar systems. Romania’s defense ministry has also intensified its naval patrols, using ships, helicopters, and drones to monitor the area and provide updated safety advisories to navigators. While Russia is widely suspected of orchestrating the attacks, the Kremlin has denied any involvement.
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