US P-8A Poseidon patrols Black Sea amid rising drone attacks on commercial vessels
A US P-8A Poseidon aircraft began surveillance flights over the Black Sea after a surge in drone strikes on merchant ships near Bulgaria and Romania.
The United States deployed a P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft to Varna, where it is now flying low-level missions over the western Black Sea. The aircraft, designed for surface-ship tracking, anti-submarine warfare and maritime surveillance, arrived from an Italian base in Sicily. Bulgarian Defence Minister Dimităr Stoianov emphasized that the Poseidon cannot engage targets and will remain on station while needed.
Prime Minister Rumen Radev noted the patrol follows consultations with NATO and allies and that additional assistance may be requested. The move comes after a series of drone attacks on commercial vessels near Bulgaria and Romania, which have also forced local fishermen to alter their routes and work closer to shore.
Why it matters
The deployment signals heightened security concerns in the Black Sea and NATO’s response to threats against commercial shipping.
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