NATO Considers Strengthening Counter-Drone Defenses in Black Sea

NATO is considering deploying additional counter-drone capabilities to the Black Sea region following a series of attacks on civilian shipping.

Romanian President Nicușor Dan told Politico about this.

According to the publication, Bulgaria, Romania, and Turkey raised this issue with NATO and asked the Alliance to pay more attention to the region’s security and provide joint support.

On October 15, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte discussed security in the Black Sea and the recent attacks on merchant ships with Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev and Romanian President Nicușor Dan.

After the meeting, Rutte stated that the Alliance has already strengthened its eastern flank defenses, in particular, by enhancing its capabilities to counter drones, and will continue to adapt its defensive posture in line with the situation.

On October 12, Bulgaria appealed to the European Union and NATO for technical assistance in investigating drone attacks on merchant ships in its exclusive economic zone.

Bulgaria also agreed with Romania to intensify trilateral cooperation with Turkey to protect shipping in the Black Sea.

Attacks on civilian shipping

Tighter security measures are being discussed following a series of attacks on merchant ships near Bulgaria and Romania. On October 6, aerial and maritime drones attacked the vessels ALFA WATAN and ABLE in Bulgaria’s exclusive economic zone.

The ALFA WATAN sustained critical damage and sank, while a fire broke out on the ABLE.

The Bulgarian government officially confirmed the attack on the two merchant ships by aerial and maritime drones. Following an exchange of information between Ukrainian and Bulgarian officials, Ukraine stated that this was a combined Russian attack.

On October 13, drones attacked two more merchant ships near the Bulgarian coast. One of them was the Chelsea 3, owned by a Ukrainian company. The Bulgarian government reported conducting a rescue operation following the attack.

Attacks have also been reported near Romania. On October 14, an unidentified drone struck the tanker YARA J near Sulina in the country’s territorial waters.