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French Plane to Stay Longer in Black Sea After Ship Attacks
· Confirmed
In Short: The plane was able to detect the three sea drones which ultimately struck and sank the Greek-owned container vessel Contship Jet in Bulgaria’s exclusive economic zone on October 28.
The plane was able to detect the three sea drones which ultimately struck and sank the Greek-owned container vessel Contship Jet in Bulgaria’s exclusive economic zone on October 28.
At least nine cargo ships were hit near the coast of Romania and Bulgaria in October, with some 34 sailors reported dead or missing.
The commander of the French maritime patrol aircraft, whose identity was not given for security reasons, said, '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 is designed to detect submarines, warships, sea drones, and mines.
The French military posted an image to social media on Friday, showing an unidentified black USV captured on camera by a French Atlantique 2 maritime patrol aircraft before impact.
The attacks have struck Saudi airports, killed at least 14 people, and forced schoolchildren and businesspeople to stay indoors and work from home.
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.
France’s extended deployment builds on a broader NATO response to the Russian attacks on Black Sea shipping.
Russian attacks on commercial shipping in the Black Sea have sharply escalated this year.
What this adds
The attacks have escalated, with a day after the initial attack, drones striking two merchant ships in Bulgaria's exclusive economic zone east of the town of Byala, the first known attack on ships there.
The French military's extended deployment is part of a broader NATO response to the Russian attacks on Black Sea shipping.
The French aircraft detected the drones but was unable to neutralize or intercept them, highlighting the challenges in countering such threats.
Background
A French maritime patrol aircraft deployed to Romania to bolster surveillance after a series of deadly strikes on merchant ships in the Black Sea will extend its stay by several weeks, its commander said on Thursday, according to Arabnews.
What's confirmed
- BUCHAREST: A French maritime patrol aircraft deployed to Romania to bolster surveillance after a series of deadly strikes on merchant ships in the Black Sea on the edge of NATO’s eastern flank will extend its stay by several weeks, its commander said on Thursday.
- The plane was able to detect the three sea drones which ultimately struck and sank the Greek-owned container vessel Contship Jet in Bulgaria’s exclusive economic zone on October 28.
- At least nine cargo ships were hit near the coast of Romania and Bulgaria in October, with some 34 sailors reported dead or missing.
- The attacks have struck Saudi airports, killed at least 14 people and forced schoolchildren and businesspeople to stay indoors and work from home.
- “They’ve learned how to oversaturate the radars,” he said.
- The aircraft is designed to detect submarines, warships, sea drones, and mines.
What's still developing
- Adrian Mihălcioiu, the leader of Romania's Free Seafarers' Union, said the ship was attacked by Russian sea and aerial drones in waters Romanians consider safe.
- EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas called for a moratorium on Black Sea attacks.
- Three Bulgarian Navy ships were dispatched for a search and rescue operation to retrieve the 18 crew members on board.
- Bulgarian authorities said a French sea patrol aircraft had picked up the drones roughly half an hour before they slammed into the ship, allowing the crew to evacuate.