Romania Deploys F-16 and Eurofighter Jets to Counter Drone Intrusions

On March 13, radar systems in Romania detected aerial targets near the border with Ukraine.

Romanian authorities immediately declared a RO-ALERT and put air defense forces on high alert.

The alert was received around 10:00 a.m. The aerial targets were detected north of Tulcea County, in the Kiliya Veche–Vylkov area.

Two F-16 fighter jets were scrambled from the 86th Air Base in Borcha for reconnaissance and airspace monitoring.

According to preliminary data from Romanian authorities, debris from the drone may have fallen within the country’s territory in the Kiliya Veche area.

Later, following the detection of new drones in close proximity to Romanian airspace, a second RO-Alert notification was sent to residents in the Danube Delta region.

At approximately 11:55 a.m., two German Air Force Eurofighter Typhoon jets, which were on enhanced air policing duty, took off from the 57th Air Base. Search teams are currently working in the field to locate possible drone components.

To counter such drone incursions, Romania will equip itself with the MEROPS anti-drone system, which has proven effective in Ukraine.