Four NATO fighter jets were scrambled due to a drone over Romania
NATO scrambled four fighter jets after an unidentified drone appeared over Romania. After entering the country’s airspace, the drone was shot down.
On the morning of July 24, on NATO’s orders, two Romanian F-16 fighter jets from Fetești Air Base and two Italian Eurofighters from Mihail Kogălniceanu Air Base were scrambled. They were deployed to identify an unidentified drone that had approached Romanian airspace.
NATO reported that the drone was quickly identified. After it crossed into Romanian airspace, Alliance forces received authorization to shoot it down.
“Shortly thereafter, the threat was shot down in Romanian airspace. These joint multinational efforts underscore that NATO is ready and capable of responding to any potential air threats around the clock to protect our territory and our citizens,” the statement said.
NATO noted that the incident occurred amid the strengthening of the Alliance countries’ air defense capabilities. In particular, Romania has acquired the MEROPS counter-drone system, designed to intercept small UAVs.
An investigation is currently underway. NATO added that it continues to work closely with Romanian authorities to determine all the circumstances of the incident.
This was reported by the Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE).
As a reminder, on July 24, a Romanian Air Force F-16 fighter jet shot down a drone that had entered the country’s airspace for the first time. The incident marked the first time a Romanian F-16 was used in combat against an intruding drone.
On the afternoon of July 23, an air raid alert was declared in the Romanian county of Tulcea, which borders Ukraine, due to a Russian attack on the Odesa region.
