AWACS aircraft boost NATO surveillance from Romanian airspace

NATO began additional flights of E-3 Sentry Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) aircraft in Romanian airspace on 29 September 2024 to support the alliance’s increased presence in the region and to monitor Russian military activities on the country’s borders.

According to a NATO announcement on 30 September, the flights will take off from the Greek air base at Preveza Airport and the NATO AWACS main base in Geilenkirchen, Germany, and will take place exclusively over NATO territory.

The mission is being carried out on the recommendation of the Commander of the Joint Operations Command Naples with the authorisation of the Supreme Allied Commander Europe and has been co-ordinated with the Romanian military authorities.

The deployment of AWACS platforms will also strengthen Romania’s ability to respond to increased air activity near its border, NATO noted. This increased vigilance activity is “legitimate, defensive, proportionate and fully transparent”, the alliance stated.