BUCHAREST, Romania — Romania scrambled two F-16 fighter jets after a small maritime drone was discovered drifting dangerously close to the country’s strategically important Neptun Deep offshore natural-gas project in the Black Sea, triggering a rapid military and explosive-ordnance response.
The unmanned vessel was spotted by the crew of a commercial ship at approximately 6:28 a.m. local time on Aug. 20, according to Romania’s Ministry of National Defence. The drone was reported to be several hundred meters from the Neptun Alpha platform, roughly 80 nautical miles east of Constanța and within Romania’s exclusive economic zone.
Because of the drone’s proximity to critical energy infrastructure, Romanian authorities quickly moved to secure the area. Two Romanian Air Force F-16 fighter jets were dispatched to investigate the suspicious vessel and assess whether it posed an immediate threat to the offshore platform.
One of the fighter aircraft fired its onboard cannon at the drone, striking the unmanned vessel but failing to completely destroy it. A Romanian Coast Guard ship carrying an explosive-ordnance disposal team from the Naval Forces was subsequently deployed to the location.
Explosive Payload Found
The situation escalated after Romanian military specialists determined that the maritime drone was carrying an explosive charge.
Officials said tracking information gathered by the F-16 aircraft, together with observations made by the crew of the responding naval vessel, indicated that the incident involved a single unmanned craft. Romanian explosive-ordnance personnel then moved in to examine the damaged drone and safely neutralized the explosive device.
The discovery was particularly significant because the vessel had been found near offshore energy infrastructure considered strategically important to Romania’s energy security. Any detonation in the vicinity of the platform could potentially have posed risks to personnel, equipment and ongoing offshore operations.
No casualties or damage to the Neptun Alpha platform were reported.
Romanian authorities have not publicly determined who launched the drone or where it originated.
Black Sea Security Concerns
The incident occurred against the backdrop of heightened security concerns across the Black Sea, where Russia’s war against Ukraine has increased the risk posed by drifting mines, unmanned systems and other military threats near commercial shipping routes and critical infrastructure.
Romanian Defense Minister Radu Miruță said authorities established direct communication with Ukraine and received confirmation that the drone was not operated by Ukrainian forces. However, Romanian officials have not publicly attributed responsibility for the vessel to another country.
President Nicușor Dan has previously warned about what he described as irresponsible incidents affecting Romania’s security environment and emphasized the importance of vigilance and coordination with NATO allies. Russia has not publicly acknowledged responsibility for the maritime drone.
The latest discovery also followed other incidents near the Neptun Deep project. Earlier in August, Romanian naval explosive-ordnance divers destroyed two Gerbera-type unmanned aerial systems found drifting near the project’s perimeter. Ukraine likewise said those systems were not Ukrainian.
Strategic Energy Project
The repeated discoveries have raised fresh questions about the vulnerability of offshore energy infrastructure in the Black Sea.
Neptun Deep, a joint project involving OMV Petrom and state-controlled Romgaz, is expected to begin natural-gas production in 2027. The development is projected to substantially increase Romania’s domestic gas output and strengthen its position in the regional European energy market.
For Romanian authorities, the incidents underscore the increasingly complex security environment surrounding the country’s Black Sea coast. Romania sits on NATO’s southeastern flank and shares a maritime region directly affected by the war in neighboring Ukraine.
The rapid response to the latest incident — involving aerial surveillance, fighter-jet intervention and specialized explosive-ordnance personnel — prevented the suspected explosive device from causing damage.
Romanian forces continue to monitor the waters surrounding critical offshore infrastructure while coordinating with national authorities and NATO partners to protect energy installations, commercial shipping and personnel operating in the increasingly contested Black Sea region.
