Several NATO allies are preparing to reinforce air defence systems along the alliance's eastern flank after a Russian-made drone crashed into a residential building in Galați, Romania, on 29 May, injuring two civilians, Romania's foreign minister said on 3 June, Reuters reported.
The incident has accelerated efforts already under way with NATO to address capability gaps—particularly the detection and interception of low-flying drones along Romania's 650-kilometer border with Ukraine—before Bucharest's own long-term modernisation programme is complete.
The Galați strike was the first Russian drone incursion to cause casualties inside Romania. Toiu said there have been more than 40 such incursions into Romanian airspace since Russia began attacking Ukrainian ports across the Danube. Romanian President Nicușor Dan confirmed on 31 May, after a technical investigation, that the drone was a Russian-made Geran-2.
Allied response takes shape
Foreign Minister Oana Toiu, speaking during a visit to Paris, said allies are assessing how to supplement Romania's existing air monitoring and air defence systems. Reinforcements could include additional aircraft involved in NATO's air policing mission and expanded radar coverage, she said.
France, which leads NATO's battlegroup in Romania with about 1,400 troops, is in discussions over further support on radar and air monitoring systems. Britain, Italy, and Spain have signalled willingness to step up contributions to air defence operations, Toiu said. The US could provide specialised radar and surveillance capabilities rather than large-scale troop deployments.
"There is a common understanding that we need to have better air defense of the eastern flank, and not just Romania," Toiu said, adding that the conversation extends to the Baltic states and all countries on NATO's eastern flank.
Bucharest pursues longer-term modernisation
Romania presented NATO with a detailed list of defence needs before the drone incident, Toiu said, describing the allied reinforcements as a temporary bridge while Bucharest pursues a broader upgrade of its own systems. The country has allocated around two billion euros for air defence and monitoring modernisation in the coming years, but will "need to rely on allied support to cover the gaps" in the interim, she said.
Toiu said Bucharest has no evidence the drone's entry into Romanian airspace was intentional, but holds Russia fully responsible. Romania is also working on private-sector anti-drone projects and a 200 million euro plan with Ukraine to build a facility producing systems to counter low-cost aerial threats.
