Romania proposes new law to protect its airspace from drones

Romania’s Defence Ministry published a draft law on October 28 which, if passed, would allow it to shoot down drones illegally breaching its national airspace.

The move comes after military attack drone fragments have been found in Romania on several occasions this year. Romania has also identified and tracked drones in its airspace which it believes are destined for the conflict in neighbouring Ukraine throughout September and October. The two countries share a 650 km border. NATO jets scrambled to the Romanian border earlier in October following reports of increased drone activity in the area. Romania is currently hosting the visit of a delegation of the NATO Defense Policy and Planning Committee (Oct 27-30). 

“Black Sea military operations, the massive increase of the use of UAVs, either military or adapted for military use continue to create major risks at the Ukraine border and near Romania’s border area,” the proposed legislation notes.

Reuters news agency says the draft law states that drones illegally flying in Romanian airspace could be destroyed, neutralised or taken control of, depending on threat levels.

“At a European Union level efforts continue for a unitary approach to unmanned aerial vehicles as well as to establish measures to counter risks,” the draft law says.

Romania also proposes taking protection measures against unauthorised manned aircraft, with destruction a “last resort” used only in the event of an attack or aggressive response to interception.