This year's multinational exercise with NATO participation, Sea Shield 24, organized by the Romanian Navy, has begun. The opening ceremony took place today in the port of Constanta, UNN reports with reference to Romanian media.
More than 2,200 troops and 135 ships, aircraft and vehicles from 12 allied and partner countries are taking part in the exercise. Troops and military equipment from Bulgaria, France, Georgia, Greece, Italy, Great Britain, Moldova, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Turkey, the United States and Romania are taking part in the exercise.
Sea Shield 24 reportedly focuses on training in all areas of warfare and aims to increase interoperability between forces.
"We have to work out operational procedures in the anti-submarine, surface and anti-aircraft environment, in the Black Sea, as well as in the river area of responsibility," said Romanian Navy Chief of Staff Vice Admiral Mihai Panait.
Romania emphasizes the urgent need to maintain support for Ukraine's path to NATO04.04.24, 16:04
It is noted that since the beginning of the war in Ukraine, 99 drifting sea mines have been found and destroyed in the Black Sea. The threat of air and surface maritime drones is a new challenge. Last week, the Navy conducted a controlled explosion of a UAV detected off the coast of Romania.
"This device, a drone, was detected by a French MPA, a reconnaissance aircraft that we have engaged for training and mine search and reconnaissance missions. We find a lot of objects in the Black Sea, in our area of responsibility, that are remnants, traces of war in the vicinity. We have the forces and means to maintain the balance and freedom of navigation in the area," Panayit emphasized.
Fragments that appear to be from an aircraft (drone) were found in an agricultural area on the Big Island of Brăilei (Insula Mare a Brăilei) on the Danube River on March 28.