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France Extends Stay of Black Sea Patrol Plane After Deadly Russian Attacks on Shipping
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France will extend the deployment of an Atlantique 2 maritime patrol aircraft in Romania by several weeks after a series of attacks on commercial ships in the Black Sea, Reuters reported on November 5.
The aircraft was originally scheduled to leave Romania on November 6 after being temporarily deployed to Mihail Kogălniceanu Air Base on October 18.
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Russian attacks on commercial shipping in the Black Sea have sharply escalated this year. By late October, more than 570 vessels had been struck and at least 40 sailors killed since the start of 2026, making the Black Sea the world’s deadliest shipping route, according to UNITED24 Media. The outlet reported that Russia was responsible for around 90% of attacks on shipping during the preceding 45 days.
“The Atlantique 2 presence will be maintained for a few weeks from now on. We are here to ensure the safety of navigation of the commercial traffic in the Black Sea,” the aircraft’s commander stated.
France sent the Atlantique 2 to Romania after NATO members Romania and Bulgaria requested reinforcements following attacks on shipping near their coasts, Reuters wrote.
The aircraft is designed to detect submarines, warships, sea drones, and mines.
At least nine cargo ships were hit near Romania and Bulgaria in October, leaving around 34 sailors dead or missing, Reuters reported.
On October 28, the Atlantique 2 detected three sea drones that later struck and sank the Greek-owned container ship Contship Jet in Bulgaria’s exclusive economic zone.
The aircraft’s crew alerted Bulgarian authorities and the vessel about an hour before the strike, allowing the crew to avoid casualties, according to Reuters.
“We are a surveillance aircraft,” the commander stated. “We are able to detect. We are not able to neutralise and intercept these kind of drones.”
The attacks have increased pressure on NATO members along the Black Sea, where commercial shipping routes carry grain, oil, and petroleum products.
France’s extended deployment builds on a broader NATO response to the Russian attacks on Black Sea shipping. In October, France and the US sent maritime patrol aircraft to the region after Russian drone attacks on commercial vessels, while NATO prepared to adjust its defense posture around Romania and Bulgaria.
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