Interim Defence Minister Radu Miruta announced on Friday that a Romanian Air Force F-16 fighter jet had shot down a drone that had entered Romanian airspace without authorisation over an uninhabited area in Buzau County, saying the incident was further proof that the Romanian Armed Forces are fulfilling their fundamental mission of defending the national territory and protecting citizens.
According to the minister, every new radar system, every modern aircraft, every counter-drone capability and every well-trained servicemember means greater security for Romania.
"The efforts made in recent years are paying off. Romanian servicemen shot down a drone that entered Romanian airspace without authorisation today at around 11:07. Congratulations to the Romanian pilots! Through professionalism, composure and a swift response, they neutralised a drone that unlawfully entered Romania's airspace today. This is further proof that the Romanian Armed Forces are fulfilling their fundamental mission: defending the national territory and protecting citizens," Miruta said in a Facebook post, according to Agerpres.
He explained that, on Friday morning, the Ministry of National De fence's surveillance systems detected an aerial target entering Romanian airspace.
Response procedures were immediately activated, and Italian Air Force Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft, deployed on NATO Air Policing missions, were scrambled.
Shortly afterwards, the Ministry of National Defence decided to scramble two additional Romanian F-16 fighter jets, which were authorised to engage the target.
After tracking and monitoring the drone, a Romanian Air Force F-16 engaged and shot it down over an uninhabited area in Buzau County.
"At the same time, all measures to protect the population were put in place. This is why I have consistently argued that Romania must invest in air defence, counter-drone capabilities and the modernisation of the Armed Forces. Today's threats are no longer the same as those we faced ten years ago, and our responsibility is to be prepared before they develop into crises. Every new radar system, every modern aircraft, every counter-drone capability and every well-trained servicemember means greater security for Romania. The decisions we take today in the field of defence are not expenses; they are direct investments in the security of every citizen and in the Romanian state's ability to defend its sovereignty. Romania is defending its airspace. Romania is honouring its commitments within NATO. And Romania will continue to invest in the capabilities that turn security from a promise into a reality," Miruta added.
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