Romania Spent €1.5 Million Downing Russian Drones

Romania’s military spent an estimated €1.5 million ($1.7 million) over three days to shoot down three Russian drones that entered the country’s airspace, according to Digi24 on Monday.

Most of the cost came from AIM-9X air-to-air missiles launched by Romanian F-16 fighter jets during the interceptions. Each AIM-9X missile costs approximately $400,000, and Romanian forces fired three of them to destroy the drones, bringing the missile bill alone to around $1.2 million, Digi24 reported.

The total cost rose to about €1.5 million ($1.7 million) after accounting for F-16 flight hours and aircraft maintenance.

Romania’s defense ministry said protecting civilians remains the priority despite the high costs, but acknowledged such spending would be difficult to sustain if Russian drones continue entering Romanian airspace at the current pace.

More than 100 Russian attacks near Romania’s border

Since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, more than 100 Russian attacks have been recorded near Romania’s border, according to Digi24.

Russian drones entered Romanian airspace 33 times, prompting the Romanian Air Force to scramble fighter jets on each occasion. Drone debris has also been found on Romanian territory in about 50 incidents.

So far, Romania has shot down three Russian drones – one in Buzău County on Friday and two more in Tulcea County on Saturday and Sunday.

On Sunday, a Romanian F-16 fighter jet shot down an unidentified drone over the country’s territorial waters near the Sulina-Chilia area, marking the third such interception in three consecutive days.

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Earlier, Romanian President Nicușor Dan confirmed that an investigation by the Prosecutor General’s Office identified the first drone, downed on Friday, as a Russian Shahed-type munition.

Investigations into the Saturday and Sunday drones remain ongoing, and Romania plans to issue a formal diplomatic protest to Russia based on the findings.

Cheaper options

However, Romania is exploring less expensive ways to intercept drones, including the use of helicopters equipped with machine guns, although that option has not yet been employed.

The country is expected to receive two counter-drone systems next year. One will be supplied by an Israeli company, while the second is being developed jointly by Romania and Ukraine.