NATO boosts surveillance in the Black Sea amid rising drone attacks on vessels, following the loss of sailors' lives.
NATO has decided to strengthen military surveillance activities in the region following an increase in drone attacks targeting commercial vessels in the Black Sea and the loss of numerous sailors' lives or their disappearance. The Alliance announced that it will send additional maritime patrol aircraft, radar systems, and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to the Black Sea.
The decision was announced after a Black Sea security meeting held by the North Atlantic Council, NATO's highest political decision-making body, on October 20 at NATO headquarters in Brussels.
In recent weeks, drone attacks targeting commercial vessels near the coasts of Romania and Bulgaria have raised concerns about the safety of maritime transportation in the Black Sea.
It has been reported that seven sailors are missing following drone attacks on two chemical tankers off the coast of Romania.
During the same period, at least five more cargo ships were attacked near the coasts of Romania and Bulgaria. The total number of sailors who have died or gone missing in the recent attacks has reached at least 23.
The attacks have particularly heightened security concerns regarding Ukraine's grain and other commercial cargo transportation via the Black Sea and the Danube River.
NATO Military Spokesperson Colonel Martin O'Donnell announced that alliance members will send additional maritime patrol aircraft, radar systems, unmanned aerial vehicles, and intelligence personnel to the Black Sea.
The primary mission of the units to be deployed to the region will be to closely monitor maritime and airspace activities, detect potential threats early, and enhance intelligence sharing among allied countries.
NATO members will also assign forensic investigation teams to examine the explosives and munitions fragments used in the attacks on commercial vessels.
The findings obtained by these teams are aimed at contributing to the identification of the weapon systems used in the attacks and determining the perpetrators of the incidents.
While the attacks targeting commercial vessels in the Black Sea are assessed to be linked to the war between Russia and Ukraine, NATO has not officially attributed responsibility for the attacks to any country.
Some military experts believe that Russia is behind the attacks. However, the Moscow administration has not accepted responsibility for the said attacks.
Following the incidents occurring near their coasts, the authorities in Bulgaria and Romania have increased security measures, while investigations into the origins of the unmanned aerial vehicles used in the attacks are ongoing.
The Bulgarian government has requested the deployment of fighter jets and anti-drone defense systems from NATO following the attacks on commercial vessels.
The Bulgarian Ministry of Defense stated that the alliance's military capabilities should be utilized more effectively against security threats in the region.
Bulgaria has also raised the issue of strengthening coordination with Romania and Turkey regarding Black Sea security.
The additional surveillance and reconnaissance elements announced by NATO on October 20 aim to closely monitor threats in the region.
NATO Spokesperson Allison Hart stated that the alliance has previously strengthened its defense capacity on the eastern flank, including systems developed against unmanned aerial vehicles.
Hart emphasized that allies will continue to work together to be prepared for potential threats and to ensure the security of member countries.
It has been announced that the new elements NATO will send to the Black Sea will focus on surveillance, reconnaissance, and forensic investigation activities. The alliance did not announce the initiation of a new military escort operation for commercial vessels as part of this decision.
Developments in the Black Sea are being closely monitored in terms of the safety of commercial vessels, the protection of sailors, and the continuity of international maritime transportation.
Source: SeaNews Türkiye
