Four Eurofighter jets from the German Air Force arrived in Romania on Wednesday to provide airspace surveillance support for the NATO Air Policing South mission, according to Euractiv.
Starting Monday, the planes will be operational and will strengthen air defence on NATO’s southeastern flank. In the past weeks, extensive preparatory measures have already been implemented for the deployment of the German contingent, consisting of a total of 150 soldiers.
“By participating once again in the reinforced air policing mission Air Policing South with four Eurofighter fighter jets, we demonstrate our solidarity with Romania and collaborate to safeguard our ally’s territory,” German Ambassador Peer Gebauer said.
According to The German Embassy in Bucharest “a defence system against small unmanned aerial vehicles” will be deployed to protect the German contingent.
Germany also offers to accompany and support the medium-term reinforcement of Romanian capabilities for the “defence against small unmanned aerial vehicles.”
The 650-kilometre-long land border between Romania and Ukraine has seen Russian attacks occurring just a few hundred metres from the border. In recent months, debris from drones involved in these incidents has fallen in Romania.
Since September 2023, the Romanian Ministry of Defense has enforced flight restrictions in the Dobrogea region, situated in the border area with Ukraine.
An estimated area of 3,000 to 4,500 square kilometres can no longer be traversed in the air, up to a height of four kilometres, by any flight device lacking the consent of Romanian authorities.