France Extends Maritime Patrol Aircraft Deployment in the Black Sea Amid Ship Attacks

France extended for several more weeks the deployment of its Atlantique 2 maritime patrol aircraft in Romania, a mission that was due to end on November 6 after the aircraft arrived in the country on October 18. The decision comes in response to the rise in drone attacks against merchant vessels in the Black Sea, which have raised concerns among NATO members.

The deployment originated from a request for reinforcement by Romania and Bulgaria following a series of drone attacks near their coasts. According to Marine Insight, around nine merchant vessels were attacked off the coasts of both countries in October, with approximately 34 seafarers reported dead or missing. Financial Ports, meanwhile, recorded at least eight cargo vessels attacked with drones or missiles since early October, with the most recent incident on October 23, when a vessel sank, one crew member died and three others went missing; on October 5, other bulk carriers had sustained damage near the Danube and the port of Chornomorsk but managed to reach their destination.

On October 28, the Contship Jet, a container ship operated by a Greek shipping company, was targeted by three naval drones while sailing through Bulgaria's economic waters. The French aircraft had detected the drones in advance and, according to its commander, both Bulgarian authorities and the vessel were alerted nearly an hour before the attack. All 18 crew members survived, although the vessel later sank. The commander of the Bulgarian navy stated that his forces were unable to arrive in time to prevent the attack.

The French commander clarified that the Atlantique 2 can detect drones and raise the alarm, but lacks the means to neutralize or intercept them. NATO has committed to investing more than $40 billion in anti-drone systems over the next five years and reiterated that it will defend all its members, including those bordering the Black Sea. The alliance also announced plans to reinforce its presence in the region with more patrol aircraft, drones, and radar systems.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot, during a visit to Bulgaria on October 24, confirmed that the aircraft operates within the framework of NATO missions. France's Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs had described the attacks as a flagrant violation of international law in a statement issued on October 15 and called for a moratorium on attacks in the Black Sea. Romania, for its part, stepped up its naval patrols with vessels, helicopters, and drones, while Romanian F-16 fighter jets intercepted two Russian drones over the country's territorial waters. Both Marine Insight and Financial Ports note that Russia has denied being behind the attacks.