Romania scrambled two F-16 fighter jets Thursday after a maritime drone was detected near the Neptun Deep natural gas project in the Black Sea, according to Romanian officials.
Defense Minister Radu-Dinel Miruţă said the drone was spotted only a few hundred meters from the offshore operations, prompting authorities to seek NATO authorization. The aircraft were dispatched to protect workers and critical energy infrastructure, with one jet destroying the drone.
A NATO spokesperson confirmed that two Romanian F-16s responded to the drone inside Romania’s exclusive economic zone, describing the operation as evidence of continued readiness.
The incident comes after several recent Russian aircraft and drone incidents involving Romanian territory. Neptun Deep, located offshore, is expected to begin production in 2027 and could make Romania the European Union’s largest natural gas producer.
Related Tweet:
Earlier today, a Romanian Air Force F-16 engaged an unknown sea drone operating near the country's Black Sea Neptun Deep gas project, destroying it with a strafing run of 20mm cannon fire.
— OSINTtechnical (@Osinttechnical) August 20, 2026
Ukraine confirmed to Romanian and NATO officials that the drone was not theirs. pic.twitter.com/IGzla7B2fb
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