Defense News – Romania’s plan to acquire a Turkish-built Hisar-class offshore patrol vessel (OPV) has entered its final phase, with the Romanian Ministry of Defence confirming that contract signature is imminent following unanimous parliamentary approval in September. The deal would deliver one vessel to the Black Sea city of Constanța within six months of signing. For Romania, the acquisition fills a critical near-term gap. The country’s Black Sea fleet remains constrained by aging platforms—many dating from the late Cold War — and persistent delays across several major procurement ventures.

(Thanks to Alain)

Reuters – Romania’s Supreme Defence Council on Friday approved a plan to add new small warships to its fleet, part of wider efforts to strengthen its role in the Black Sea and on NATO’s eastern flank.

(Thanks to Alain)

War on the Rocks – It is in America’s interests to explore other ways to export grain from Ukraine. A new alternative route that excludes Russia would minimize — to the extent possible — Russian leverage over global food prices. The need to ensure the safe passage of ships through this second grain corridor also creates an opportunity to bolster U.S. and allied presence in the Black Sea, without running afoul of Turkish neutrality. The United States should work with European allies to transfer minesweepers to Romania — a NATO member and Black Sea nation that Turkey has close relations with — to establish this new route. To account for drifting mines, the United States and its European allies should consider assisting Romania with clearance divers or loaning clearance diving equipment to the Romanian navy. Minesweepers are purely defensive and do not pose a threat to the Russian navy. They are also needed to remove moored mines and assist in removing drifting mines, which both threaten commercial shipping.

The Maritime Executive – With most NATO members committed to increasing defense spending in light of Russia’s military aggression in Ukraine, Romania is seeking to modernize its navy. Among the elements planned is the acquisition of the country’s first submarines in nearly 20 years.

(Thanks to Alain)

Naval News – Raytheon Technologies will supply Naval Strike Missile Coastal Defense System to the Romanian government.

Naval News – The Musca-class minesweeper of the Romanian Navy was damaged by a floating mine on 08 September 2022 in the Black Sea, northeast of the port of Constantza.

Navy Recognition – The Romanian Minister of Defense, Vasile Dincu, said during an interview that he has signed a letter of intent to buy French-made Scorpene class submarines and helicopters.

(Thanks to Alain)

Defense News – The U.S. State Department on Friday approved the potential sale of Naval Strike Missile Coastal Defense Systems to Romania, in a deal that could be worth about $300 million.

– War On The Rocks – The Black Sea is a body of many monikers: NATO euphemistically calls the sea an area of “strategic importance,” former Romanian President Traian Băsescu famously dubbed it “a Russian lake” in 2005 and the Russians, in response, labeled the body “a NATO lake.” While traditionally Romania has considered the Black Sea “its best neighbor,” these labels reflect today’s heightened threat perceptions in the region. Yet ultimately none of these nicknames, laden with geostrategic significance though they are, show the reality.

– Defense News – Vice Adm. Alexandru Mirsu, the chief of the Romanian Naval Forces, said the country requires an additional three submarines to ensure Romania’s operational capacities in the Black Sea, as the one Kilo-class submarine does not meet that need.