Lorraine Williamson
A Spanish F-18 fighter jet deployed with NATO has shot down a drone after it illegally entered Romanian airspace close to the country’s borders with Moldova and Ukraine.
The incident happened early on Sunday morning after two Spanish fighters were placed on alert. One subsequently received permission to engage the drone, destroying it shortly after 5.00 am.
The drone was initially detected at around 4.45 am, approximately 24 kilometres north of Galați in south-eastern Romania. Two Spanish F-18s already on precautionary alert were authorised to respond, according to information released by the Romanian authorities.
One of the Spanish aircraft established radar contact with the target and was given permission to engage. The drone was shot down at 5.01 am, with debris believed to have fallen in an uninhabited area between two villages. No casualties have been reported.
Drone’s origin remains under investigation
Romanian authorities have not identified the origin of the aircraft. NATO has opened an investigation and says preliminary indications suggest the drone may have been Russian, but further information is still being gathered.
That distinction is important. Romania shares a 614-kilometre land border with Ukraine and has experienced repeated incursions into its airspace since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, but there has been no final determination that Sunday’s drone was Russian.
The Spanish Ministry of Defence praised the response by the Spanish personnel, describing the work of the pilots from Ala 12 as outstanding in protecting European airspace.
Romanian defence minister Radu Miruță also thanked the Spanish pilots and Romanian military personnel involved in the operation, highlighting the rapid response and cooperation between NATO allies.
Why are Spanish F-18s in Romania?
The Spanish fighters are not operating independently in Romania. They form part of Spain’s contribution to NATO’s reinforcement of its eastern flank and the alliance’s air policing and air-defence operations.
Spain has previously deployed F-18 and Eurofighter aircraft to Romania as part of these missions, with Spanish forces conducting surveillance, interception and training operations alongside Romanian and other allied forces. Spain’s Defence Staff has documented the country’s continuing contribution to NATO air operations in Romania.
The current Spanish contingent numbers around 200 military personnel and includes F-18 fighters and helicopters. It began its latest deployment earlier this month and is expected to remain in Romania until December.
Sunday’s operation was coordinated through NATO’s Combined Air Operations Centre at Torrejón de Ardoz, near Madrid.
Romania thanks Spain
The incident has also prompted direct diplomatic contact between Madrid and Bucharest.
Spanish foreign minister José Manuel Albares said he had spoken with his Romanian counterpart, Oana Țoiu, who thanked Spain for the intervention. Albares said Spain’s work and solidarity were important to Euro-Atlantic security.
Romania is one of NATO’s eastern-flank members most directly exposed to the consequences of the war in neighbouring Ukraine. Drone fragments have previously landed on Romanian territory during Russian attacks close to the border.
Sunday’s interception is the fourth occasion this year on which a drone has been shot down over Romania. Romanian F-16 pilots destroyed three drones that entered the country’s airspace in July.
For now, NATO’s investigation will attempt to establish exactly where the latest drone originated and the circumstances in which it crossed into Romanian territory.