Romanian F-16 Fighter Jet Shoots Down Drone Over Estonia

A Romanian F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter jet shot down a drone in Estonian airspace on May 19, as part of NATO’s enhanced air policing mission in the Baltic region, Romania’s Ministry of Defense announced. The interception marks a first for the Romanian Air Force detachment known as the "Carpathian Vipers."

The Romanian aircraft were scrambled at around 11:03 a.m. following an alert issued by NATO’s Combined Air Operations Centre (CAOC) in Uedem, Germany. The pilots identified the target and completed all necessary identification and engagement procedures. They then launched an air-to-air missile, successfully bringing down the drone.

Reuters reported that the drone is suspected to be of Ukrainian origin. The Romanian detachment, consisting of around 100 military personnel and six F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft, is currently deployed at the Šiauliai Air Base in Lithuania. The mission, running from April to July 2026, aims to protect the airspace integrity of the Baltic states as part of NATO’s collective defense commitments.

The interim minister of defense, Radu Miruță, praised the operation, identifying the pilot involved as Commander Pavelescu Costel-Alexandru. He highlighted the complexity of the operation and noted that the pilot had managed to track, engage, and bring down the drone. The operation was highly appreciated by NATO allies, with the Estonian defense minister, Hanno Pevkur, personally congratulating Romania.

Miruță also announced that he had proposed awarding the pilot the First Class Peace Envoy Emblem. This is Romania’s fourth deployment to Lithuania under NATO's Baltic Air Policing operations, with previous missions taking place in 2007, 2023, and 2025.