Romanian F-16s down two drones in national airspace over Black Sea

Romanian F-16s intercepted and destroyed two drones inside the country's territorial airspace over the Black Sea on Saturday 17 October, according to the Romanian Ministry of National Defence.

Both incursions occurred at around 1800 local time (1500 UTC). The ministry said the first drone was inside Romanian airspace for about two minutes before it was downed. The second remained in sovereign airspace for roughly five minutes before being destroyed.

Two F-16s were launched from the 86th Air Base at Borcea. They intercepted and destroyed the drones about 15 to 20 minutes after take-off, around 120 kilometres east of Snake Island, the ministry said.

Romanian authorities released images of the aircraft engaging the targets, including an F-16 firing an AIM-9 Sidewinder missile.

Speaking on Sunday 18 October, Defence Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Radu Miruta said the drones had been travelling at about 450 km/h. That speed, he said, pointed to Russian-made Geran-4 drones with a turboprop engine. He added that it was the first time Romania had shot down drones of this kind.

The intercept took place near Snake Island, a Ukrainian-held territory in the Black Sea that has featured in the demarcation of maritime borders between Romania and Ukraine.