The largest NATO exercise in the Black Sea continues with the participation of 13 countries

NATO’s largest exercise in the Black Sea, “Sea Shield,” has been ongoing since April 8 with the participation of dozens of warships and thousands of troops from 13 countries.

NATO’s largest exercise in the Black Sea, “Sea Shield,” continues. The exercise, which started on April 8 with the participation of dozens of warships and thousands of troops from 13 countries, will end on April 21. Updated this year considering the current risks and security threats in the Black Sea, the “Sea Shield” exercise is being conducted in the coastal region of Romania, the Danube River, and the Danube Delta.

In a statement made by the Romanian Ministry of Defense, it was stated that more than 2,200 military personnel, including 400 foreign ones, participated in the exercise, and it was said, “The scenario of the exercise aims to achieve goals of combating illegal activities at sea and in rivers, ensuring control of maritime and river traffic, and planning and executing search and rescue operations at sea in accordance with NATO standards and in the context of existing security threats in the region.”

Military maneuvers, defined as the most complex exercise organized by the Romanian Navy, are also attended by Bulgaria, France, Georgia, Greece, Italy, the United Kingdom, Moldova, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Turkey, and the United States.

Following Russia’s attack on Ukraine in February 2022, NATO increased its presence in Eastern Europe and decided to enhance its capabilities in Romania, Hungary, Bulgaria, and Slovakia.