France Temporarily Deploys Maritime Patrol Aircraft To Black Sea As Ship Attacks Increase
France has temporarily relocated a maritime patrol plane to the Black Sea after drone attacks on cargo ships off the coasts of NATO member states.
Since early October 2026, at least 8 cargo ships have been hit near the coasts of Romania and Bulgaria. Several sailors are reported dead or missing. France deployed its maritime patrol aircraft Atlantique two to Romania’s Mihail Kogălniceanu air base on October 18 to conduct surveillance missions until November 6. The formal detachment at Mihail Kogălniceanu began October 18, though French maritime patrols had been assisting in the Black Sea airspace before the formal announcement. The mission is set to cover the western part of the Black Sea.
According to Reuters, earlier this month, Romanian fighter jet pilots in F-16s shot down two Russian drones over Romanian territorial waters. NATO and Romanian jets monitored and tracked airspace breaches, but no official order was given or confirmed to shoot down Russian drones inside Romanian airspace. More maritime patrol planes, drones, and radar systems will be sent to the Black Sea, NATO said on October 20.
On October 5, several bulk carriers off the Danube/Chornomorsk ports sustained missile/drone damage, but were successfully brought to port for inspection. Another drone hit and sank a cargo vessel on October 23, killing 1 crew member and leaving 3 missing. Russia was widely suspected of the attacks, which the Kremlin denied.
On October 24, during a visit to Bulgaria, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot said that the aircraft was operating in the area as part of NATO missions. The aircraft has supported rescue efforts near Bulgaria and Romania.
Following the unacceptable drone attacks on commercial ships in early October, France has condemned these actions in the strongest possible terms. In an October 15 statement, France’s Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs described the strikes as a flagrant violation of international law and expressed solidarity with Romania and Bulgaria. France aims to continue providing Ukraine with unwavering support and calls for a moratorium on strikes in the Black Sea.
According to the ministry, they are currently working to help identify threats to navigation, enhance surveillance and protect Romania’s critical infrastructure within its exclusive economic zone.
NATO and the French Navy’s response added to Romanian naval forces’ actions, including increased maritime patrol missions conducted with ships, helicopters and drones, Romania’s defence ministry stated. The ministry said that naval forces are continuing to update navigators about dangers and recommended routes.
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