NATO multinational exercise "Sea Shield 21" in the Black Sea
Articol de Sorin Cealera, Constanța, 21 Martie 2021, 06:34
More than 2.400 soldiers from eight states, 18 battleships and 10 aircraft are participating since yesterday in "Sea Shield 21", the largest multinational NATO exercise, organized by the Romanian Naval Forces this year in the Black Sea area.
The exercise covers all stages of a NATO naval military operation in response to a geopolitical crisis in the Black Sea region.
Romania participates together with Bulgaria, Greece, Holland, Poland, Spain, USA and Turkey in "Sea Shield 21".
The exercise aims to strengthen the Alliance's maritime position in a volatile security environment. "Sea Shield" aims to develop the interoperability of forces in all combat environments - sea, submarine, land and air.
A cruiser, a destroyer, frigates, corvettes, dragoons and minesweepers, rocket-carrying ships, a patrol ship and maritime tugs will joined forces to carry out the planned sequences at sea.
The fight against air threats will be ensured by F-16, MiG 21 Lancer aircraft and IAR-330 helicopters of the Romanian Air Force and Naval Forces, together with "Eurofighter Typhoon" fighter jets from Spain and aerial research aircraft from the USA and Turkey.
In the coastal area, three mobile missile launch detachments of the Romanian Naval Forces and a battery of coastal missiles of the Polish Naval Forces, participating for the first time in the "Sea Shield", will act together from Capu Midia, to repel the enemy.
The official opening of the exercise took place yesterday, from 13.00, in the Port of Constanta.
Translated by: Radu Matei
