Opening ceremony of the multinational exercise "Sea Shield" in Constanta

"Sea Shield 25" includes combat sequences that will test the coordination and response capabilities of the participating forces in highly complex scenarios in the area of responsibility in the Black Sea, in the ports of Constanta, Tulcea and Braila, on the Danube and in the Babadag firing range.

Speaking at the event, Defense Minister Angel Tilvar said that "Sea Shield" shows Romania's commitment to ensuring the security and stability of the Black Sea region.

He emphasized the importance of the exercise and announced that the purchase of a light corvette for the Romanian Naval Forces will be submitted to the Parliament for approval through a request later this week.

Angel Tilvar: It is in Romania's interest to have in the Black Sea an area where trade can take place in good conditions. I believe that the special economic zone that Romania will exploit deserves due attention in terms of protection. So, here are some arguments which I believe justify our interest in purchasing military equipment. For the time being, we have found this equipment which also meets emergency needs and I am glad to have had the agreement of the Supreme Council for National Defense, as I hope to have the approval of Parliament.

In the first week, the exercise will be conducted in a national context, with activities to defend critical infrastructure on the coast, and in the second week with the participation of partner states, for the first time with the Naval Mine Countermeasures Group, set up last year by Turkey, Bulgaria and Romania.

Translated by: Radu Matei