Romania intercepts marine drone near gas platform
A Romanian F-16 fighter jet has destroyed an explosive maritime drone in the Black Sea. According to the Ministry of Defence, the sea drone was near a production platform in Romania's Neptun Deep gas field, where hundreds of people are working. Romania's President Nicusor Dan has blamed Russia for the incident.
Kremlin will try to sabotage Neptun Deep
For the republica.ro blog, the Romanian gas project is a thorn in Russia's side for economic reasons:
“With this project Romania will become the EU's largest gas producer and exporter. Who do you think will be most affected by this economically? Exactly: Russia. The gas field in the Black Sea is expected to produce gas for at least 20 years. Do you think we no longer need gas? We certainly do, for example for huge AI data centres that consume enormous amounts of energy. Neptun Deep is such a strategically important and profitable project for Romania that the Russians will sabotage it. ... They will launch hybrid attacks against our project.”
One destroyed drone is no big deal
The successful destruction of the drone is being used to gloss over political failings, journalist Mihai Isac criticises in Cotidianul:
“Defence Minister Radu Miruță says that the new ground-based drone defence systems will not begin to arrive until the summer of 2027, and full delivery could take up to two and a half years. ... Romania needs a multi-layered defence plan, cost-effective anti-drone systems, suitable radars, civil defence and honest communication. A responsible minister does not gloss over weaknesses by applauding pilots, but explains timetables, costs and risks. ... Security does not mean celebrating the destruction of a drone, but making the next incursion impossible.”