Romanian military raises alarm over Russian disruption of GPS in territorial waters

Bucharest, Romania – General Daniel Petrescu, Chief of the General Staff of the Romanian Army, has issued a stark warning about Russia's continuous interference with GPS communications in Romanian territorial waters. Speaking at the Euro-Atlantic Resilience Forum in Bucharest, General Petrescu revealed that Russia's actions pose a grave risk to maritime safety, including the possibility of accidental collisions and issues with missile navigation.

The Romanian military has reported that Russia has been actively and consistently disrupting GPS signals within Romanian territorial waters, a situation that has raised concerns about the security of ships operating in the region. General Petrescu emphasized that the interference could result in severe problems with missile navigation, potentially leading to unintended incidents involving Romanian infrastructure or merchant vessels.

In addition to the GPS disruption, General Petrescu highlighted another looming threat in the form of sea mines that are scattered throughout the Black Sea. This adds another layer of danger for ships navigating these waters.

Romanian army is preparing to "increase resilience"

The Romanian Army is now taking proactive steps to enhance the country's resilience to these emerging threats. General Petrescu stressed the importance of strengthening Romania's relationships with NATO and the United States government. This would include further cooperation with NATO forces stationed in Romania, a move seen as crucial to bolstering security in the region.

General Petrescu also called for an increase in the defense budget, the development of national defense programs, and improved interoperability with the U.S. military and its advanced weapon systems. He specifically mentioned the importance of acquiring systems such as Himars vehicles, Patriot anti-aircraft systems, F-16 fighter jets, and Piranha combat vehicles to enhance Romania's defense capabilities.

The general further noted that the disruptive practices in the Black Sea are unlikely to cease until there is a resolution to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, a situation with no imminent end in sight.

As Romania takes proactive measures to safeguard its territorial waters and enhance its national defense, it remains committed to its NATO allies and emphasizes the need for collective preparedness in the face of evolving security challenges posed by the Russian Federation.