Romania tests marine drones in the Black Sea

The Romanian army has begun testing new technology aimed at addressing the issue of mines lying on the bottom of the Black Sea. Sea Fox marine drones effectively neutralize underwater explosives, reducing the threat to third-party countries, including NATO members, resulting from the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine.

A look above and below the surface: how do marine drones work?

Marine drones are remotely controlled, unmanned devices that have nothing to do with flying. They primarily float on the surface of the water, although some are capable of operating beneath it as well. Their task is to locate and neutralize underwater mines.

A Euronews Romania TV crew participated in exercises conducted on board the Romanian minesweeper Ion Ghiculescu. Its 40-person crew underwent a three-month mine-clearing training course led by specialists from the British Royal Navy. The ship’s captain, Denis Giubernea, explained to Euronews reporters how the Sea Fox marine drones work:

The drones are remotely controlled. They are connected to the ship via a 1,500-meter optical cable. When they identify an object as a mine, they return to the deck. Then we use a different type of drone — a neutralization drone — which is launched near the object. Upon contact with the mine, the drone, which carries explosives, self-destructs.

War in Ukraine creates risks in the Black Sea

Since the beginning of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, 150 underwater mines have been detected in the Black Sea, including 6 within Romanian waters. Until now, divers have handled the detonation of these explosives, but such operations pose a serious threat to human life. Hence the idea of using remotely controlled devices.

Back in 2022, the Romanian government purchased a minesweeper from the United Kingdom — a warship specialized in clearing navigable waters. The M270 Sublocotenent Ion Ghiculescu cost €150 million and is intended to be one of the main security assets in the Black Sea. Sea Fox marine drones are part of its core equipment.

Captain Giubernea admitted in an interview with Euronews Romania that the exact number of defensive and offensive underwater mines deployed by Ukraine and Russia in the Black Sea remains unknown. The explosives may also drift, and the associated risk continues to grow, hindering NATO fleets from carrying out any missions.

Technology with potential

Most marine drones, such as the aforementioned Sea Fox, must be controlled from a ship — a nearby mine destroyer. Military technology experts are striving to create and popularize fully autonomous devices. These could be operated from a greater distance, thereby increasing crew safety.

It is worth mentioning that marine drones are used not only for military purposes. Their applications are much broader. They are used for environmental monitoring, pollution removal, rescue operations, and detecting damage to maritime infrastructure. Military solutions are often transferred to commercial operations, so it is worthwhile to support armed forces in this area.

main photo credit: Jamie Madden/WordPress Photo Directory