Black Sea hosts NATO exercises focused on maritime drones

Naval exercises involving NATO member states have begun in the Black Sea, focusing on the deployment and coordination of unmanned maritime systems.

The drills, designated OPEX 26, involve forces from six NATO countries — Bulgaria, Canada, Portugal, Romania, the United States, and Türkiye. The exercises are being conducted in the port of Mangalia as well as in the surrounding Black Sea waters and are scheduled to run until May 29, according to Agerpres.

A key component of the exercise is the use of both surface and underwater autonomous unmanned systems, reflecting a growing emphasis on advanced maritime capabilities.

Romania is taking part with a range of naval and technical assets, including the maritime diving vessel “Grigore Antipa”, the minesweeper M 271 “Captain Constantin Dumitrescu”, and the hydrographic boats “Ocean 1” and “Ocean 2”. The Romanian contingent also includes unmanned marine research systems and specialist teams in naval operations, hydrography, and oceanography.

Romanian Navy representatives outlined the scope of the drills, stating: “In the course of the exercises, tasks will be carried out related to maritime surveillance and monitoring, the use of surface and underwater unmanned systems will be practised, as well as tactical episodes aimed at strengthening interaction between the participating forces.”

The exercises are aimed at enhancing coordination and interoperability among allied naval forces operating in the Black Sea region.

By Tamilla Hasanova