F-16 downs drone in Romania's airspace for first time

A Romanian Air Force F-16 fighter jet shot down a drone that entered the country's airspace on Friday morning, July 24, marking the first time Romania has intercepted and destroyed a drone over its own territory. President Nicușor Dan and interim defense minister Radu Miruțǎ confirmed the incident.

“In around 11:00 this morning, a Romanian pilot flying an F-16 shot down a drone that had entered our country's airspace. The area was uninhabited, so the pilot was able to fire without any risk. Teams from the relevant institutions are now investigating the area to establish all the details of the incident," president Dan announced.

Providing additional details, minister Radu Miruță said the drone, whose origin has not yet been identified, was detected by the Ministry of National Defense's surveillance systems before entering Romanian airspace, triggering the country's air defense procedures.

"Italian Air Force Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft deployed under NATO's Air Policing mission were scrambled immediately. Shortly afterwards, two Romanian F-16 fighter jets, authorized to engage the target, also took off," the minister said.

"After tracking the target, a Romanian Air Force F-16 engaged and shot down the drone over an uninhabited area in Buzău County," he added, congratulating the Romanian pilots for their "professionalism, composure and rapid response.” 

According to the Ministry of Defense's official announcement, the F-16 from the 86th Air Base, tasked with monitoring and tracking the drone, engaged the target with a missile at 11:02 a.m., shooting it down over an uninhabited area near the village of Padina in Buzău county.

Radu Miruță also said the incident underscored the need for continued investment in Romania's air defense capabilities.

“This is why I have consistently argued that Romania must invest in air defense, counter-drone capabilities and the modernization of the armed forces. Today's threats are no longer the same as those of ten years ago, and our responsibility is to be prepared before they turn into crises," he said.

The interception comes two months after another milestone for Romania’s air force. In May, a Romanian F-16 deployed as part of NATO's enhanced Air Policing mission in the Baltic region shot down a drone in Estonian airspace, marking the first such interception by the Romanian Air Force's "Carpathian Vipers" detachment.

irina.marica@romania-insider.com

(Photo source: Facebook/Ministerul Apararii Nationale, archive, Laurențiu Turoi) ...