Romanian F-16 destroys explosive-laden marine drone near Neptun Deep gas platform

Romania’s interim Defence Minister Radu Miruță announced on Thursday the Romanian Army destroyed a marine drone carrying explosives in the area of the Neptun Deep gas platform in the Black Sea.

According to Miruță, the Romanian Coast Guard alerted authorities early on Thursday morning about a marine drone located a few hundred metres from ongoing gas extraction works at the Neptun Deep platform, inside Romania’s exclusive economic zone, approximately 80 nautical miles (about 148 km) east of Constanța.

A command cell was immediately established at the Ministry of National Defence, which requested NATO-level command authority for the Romanian Army. After assessments and in coordination with the President of Romania, the decision was taken to destroy the drone in order to protect the lives of the several hundred people working on the platform and to secure critical energy infrastructure.

Two Romanian F-16 fighter jets were scrambled with orders to fire. One of the aircraft engaged the target using its onboard cannon and safely destroyed the drone. Miruță stated that the drone was loaded with explosives.

Through a recently established direct communication channel with Ukraine, Romanian authorities received official confirmation that the drone was not of Ukrainian origin.

The presence of the drifting marine drone was first reported around 06:28 by a commercial vessel.

This incident follows similar events earlier in August, when Romanian forces destroyed two Gerbera-type drones found drifting near the same strategic offshore gas project.

Romania destroys two drifting aerial drones near its Neptun Deep gas platform

EU reaction

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen reacted promptly on X:

“Today, Romania destroyed a naval drone carrying explosives near its Neptun Deep platform in the Black Sea.

An escalating campaign of threats is underway, unsettling our citizens and seeking to divide our Union.

This is hybrid warfare.

The founding mission of our Union is to preserve peace. Today, that also means having the capacity to deter provocation and aggression.

Our Readiness 2030 agenda is mobilising up to EUR 800 billion.

With the European Drone Defence Initiative and the Eastern Flank Watch, we are scaling up production in Europe to deliver capabilities Member States need.

So we can respond to emerging threats with speed, unity and resolve.”

The Neptun Deep project, jointly developed by OMV Petrom and Romgaz, is a key strategic asset expected to make Romania the European Union’s largest gas producer once it comes online in 2027.