Romania prepares to buy Triton maritime drones for Black Sea border

Interim Minister of Internal Affairs Cătălin Predoiu announced that Romania will procure autonomous maritime drone platforms to modernise surveillance of its Black Sea frontier. The drones, identified as Triton, are currently being tested by the Coast Guard under a collaboration protocol with the developer and are capable of detecting submarine and floating mines, with a detection range of up to 10 km and an operational autonomy of about 30 days. Each unit costs roughly US$3 million, while operating costs are far lower than traditional patrol vessels.

Funding for the acquisition is expected to be sourced from the EU SAFE financing programme. The new systems are intended to reinforce border security, curb illegal migration, and combat smuggling of drugs, people and contraband in the maritime zone.